NEW ORLEANS -- A man faces life in prison for stealing candy.
Jacobia Grimes is accused of taking $31 worth of candy bars from a store in Louisiana.
Grimes has five prior theft convictions.
Under state law, that makes him eligible for a harsher sentence ranging from 20 years to life.
Orleans Parish prosecutors chose to charge Grimes under that statute.
“Isn’t this a little over the top,” said Judge Franz Zibilich at the arraignment. “Twenty years to life for a Snickers bar, or two or three or four.”
Grimes’ attorneys say all their clients thefts were for less than $500.
Stolen items include socks and pants from a Dollar General store.
