DALLAS (1080 KRLD) - A Dallas Federal Judge is making the unusual move of staggering prison terms for the owners of the Gas Pipe smoke shops after both were convicted of federal charges.
U. S. District Court Judge Barbara M.G. Lynn sentenced both Amy Herrig and her father Gerald Shults to three years in federal prison for mislabling products in the Gas Pipe stores. But they judge was also worried about the future of the employees and their families if the shops had to close. So the judge staggered the sentences.
"Mr. Shults would go in first, he would serve two years." said George Milner, Shults' attorney.
Herrig would have one year to settle business matters and establish a chain of command. "She would start her sentence as Gerry is begining his last year. And then he would be released and he would take over operations of the Gas Pipe."
Milner says the Gas Pipe chain of shops employees between 90 and 100 people, many with families.
