28-year-old Carl James Matthews of Indianapolis has been sentenced to 22 years in prison after pleading guilty to interfering with interstate commerce by robbery and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence. 

Matthews was arrested after the holdup at gunpoint of the Discount Tobacco store at 1702 Southeastern Avenue in November of last year.  Subsequent investigation produced charges in four other armed robberies.  He was accused of taking more than 23-hundred dollars in all. 

In handing down the sentence, Judge Tanya Walton Pratt noted the defendant's long criminal history including prior felony convictions for child molestation, armed robbery and possession of methamphetamines.