The second person accused of robbing the Charlotte Hall Arby’s in November of last year has been sentenced. Matthew Harper, 22, of Mechanicsville was sentenced to 18 months in jail on August 31 by St. Mary’s Circuit Court Judge Michael Stamm. The sentence was the same as that imposed on the co-defendant Christopher French. The sentence was within the state’s sentencing guidelines

Harper was sentenced on two charges, one for robbery and the other for possession of Controlled Dangerous Substances. The judge made the one-year and six month sentences consecutive. He said he imposed a greater sentence for the robbery on French because he had a previous record.

Harper was represented at the sentencing by Upper Marlboro attorney Theresa Moore. She told the judge that her client was addicted to Percocet. She said the 2008 Chopticon High School graduate had taken the incident seriously and his mother had enrolled him at the College of Southern Maryland to try to get his life back together.

Harper told the judge, “I take full responsibility for my actions. I need to correct myself. I am trying to do that.”

Both French and Harper were former employees of the fast-food restaurant. The judge in imposing the sentence noted that a toy gun was used in the robbery. Both men were wearing ski masks and the gun was pointed at the manager as he was exiting the store. The manager was ordered back inside. The manager thought he recognized the two and called out their names, at which point he was ordered to lay down on the floor.

Judge Stamm said that even though a toy gun was used something serious could have evolved out of the incident. “It is so sad to see someone with your ability allowing drugs to take control of your life,” Judge Stamm said.

Attorney Moore asked the court to allow her client to attend the St. Mary’s Adult Drug Court, but the judge said he was not eligible because a robbery was involved. Instead Judge Stamm said he would give Harper credit towards his jail time for any time spent in a drug rehabilitation program. He also allowed him work release. But he will not be allowed to start at CSM until he is released on probation. The judge ordered that probation period to be five years.