Whitehurst Sentenced For Armed Robbery

Utica, NY (WIBX) - A former high school basketball star wil spend the next 16 years in prison for an armed robbery.

Mario Whitehurst, who played basketball at Proctor High School, pleaded guilty in connection with the robbery of the Central New York Gold Exchange in Utica last May.

Whitehurst, now 23, was wielding a gun during the incident. He and 18-year-old Cedric Williams were both charged and pleaded guilty to robbery.

As Whitehurst was sentenced today, he told Judge Michael Dwyer that he made a terrible mistake asked for mercy, considering he has two young children.

Dwyer didn't budge, telling Whitehurst he should have been thinking of his children while he was pointing a gun at people and stealing their property.

Williams has already been sentenced and is currently serving 15 years behind bars.