Man gets prison after 44 arrests net 0 convictions

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A Philadelphia man arrested 44 times without a conviction faces at least 32 years in federal prison for a pair of armed robberies.

A jury convicted 25-year-old John Gassew on Wednesday of two counts each of robbery and possession of a firearm during a crime following two days of deliberations.

Gassew was profiled by The Philadelphia Inquirer in 2010 after he was arrested 44 times without a conviction in the city court system. About 20 of those cases collapsed after witnesses failed to appear for court.

Federal prosecutors praised the witnesses who testified during Gassew's most recent trial, including four victims who identified him as their assailant.

Gassew's standby attorney declined to comment Thursday.

Sentencing is scheduled for May.

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Information from: The Philadelphia Inquirer, http://www.philly.com