ORLANDO, Fla. — A judge sentenced 37-year-old Tierra Schmidt to 47 years in state prison on Friday after a jury found her guilty of committing a series of armed robberies targeting two Orlando-area liquor stores and a neighborhood gas station.
The sentence concludes a case that prosecutors described as a calculated crime spree that left employees fearing for their lives, even though no one was physically injured during the robberies.
Circuit Judge Maria Alvarez imposed consecutive prison terms after citing the violent nature of the offenses and Schmidt's repeated decision to arm herself while committing the crimes.
"This court cannot overlook the terror inflicted upon innocent workers simply trying to earn a living," Alvarez said before handing down the sentence. "Each of these robberies was a conscious decision to threaten others with deadly force."
According to investigators, Schmidt entered each business shortly before closing, displayed a handgun, and demanded cash, cigarettes, and lottery tickets before fleeing. Detectives eventually connected the robberies through surveillance footage, witness descriptions, and evidence recovered during a search of Schmidt's residence.
Officers said the search uncovered the firearm believed to have been used during the robberies, along with cash and merchandise linked to the crimes.
When the judge announced the total sentence of 47 years, Schmidt's composure quickly unraveled.
Witnesses in the courtroom said she lowered her head into her hands before breaking into tears as deputies prepared to escort her from the courtroom. She repeatedly shook her head and appeared visibly frustrated while speaking quietly with her defense attorney.
Despite the emotional display, those familiar with the proceedings said Schmidt never expressed genuine remorse for the victims during sentencing.
Instead, prosecutors argued that her reaction reflected anger over the length of the sentence rather than regret for the crimes themselves. Throughout the trial, Schmidt maintained that investigators had exaggerated her role and insisted she had been treated unfairly by the justice system.
Assistant State Attorney David Reynolds told reporters outside the courthouse that the sentence sends an important message.
"These businesses and their employees will carry the emotional impact of these robberies for years," Reynolds said. "Today's sentence reflects the seriousness of using a firearm to intimidate innocent people for personal gain."
Several victims addressed the court before sentencing, describing lingering anxiety, panic attacks, and difficulty returning to work after having guns pointed at them during the robberies.
Schmidt will receive credit for time already served in the Orange County Jail while awaiting trial. Barring any successful appeals or future sentence modifications, she is expected to spend decades in the custody of the Florida Department of Corrections.