The last suspect involved in the Kangaroo gas station armed robbery in Poplarville will serve 20 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections.
Joshua Wayne Proskasy, 32, of Poplarville, was found guilty of armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery last week by a jury of his peers.
While his wife conducted the robbery, Proskasy was determined to be involved, according to previous coverage.
Fifteenth District Attorney Hal Kittrell said during his sentencing, which took place on Monday of this week, Proskasy was sentenced to 25 years for the armed robbery conviction, with 20 to serve, and 5 years for the conspiracy to commit an armed robbery conviction. Kittrell said both sentences will run concurrent. The Honorable Circuit Court Judge Prentiss Harrell presided over the hearing.
“Basically what he gets is 20 years to serve,” Kittrell said.
According to previous coverage of this case, then 27-year-old Samantha Brumfield entered the store on March 31 of last year and pretended to purchase an energy drink. However, as the clerk helped Brumfield with her purchase, Brumfield demanded cash from the register while pointing a small revolver handgun at the employee. Brumfield left with about $300 after the clerk complied with her demand, the previous story states. Tips provided by the community helped identify Brumfield and the investigation also led to charges against Proskasy.
Kittrell said Brumfield pleaded guilty to the charge of armed robbery in February of this year, and was subsequently sentenced to 20 years in prison, five of which were suspended. That means she will serve 15 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections. Instead of pleading, Proskasy opted to take his case to trial, Kittrell said.
Proskasy faced up to life in prison for the armed robbery conviction, and up to five years for the conspiracy to commit armed robbery conviction.