PLANO, Texas — One of eight people arrested in a suspected ATM theft operation around North Texas two years ago has been sentenced to 17 years in federal prison after pleading guilty, officials say.

Joseph George Turner, 31, pleaded guilty to robbery. U.S. District Judge Richard A. Schell sentenced him to 210 months in federal prison on Wednesday.

Court documents state Turner was the leader of the group involved in the suspected crime spree, officials say, which focused on forcibly removing ATMs from North Texas convenience stores. Between May 16 and June 1 in 2023, officials say the eight defendants' conspiracy involved smashing glass storefronts with a sledgehammer, then using a stolen truck or SUV to pull the ATM out.

Once the ATM was removed, officials say it would be loaded into

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