Two men convicted of robbing a group of teenagers at a public park in Niles Township will spend the next several years behind bars.

Marlin Michael Dupree Miller, 39, of N. Sixth Street in Niles, was sentenced to a minimum of 10 1/2 years and a maximum of 70 years in prison Monday in Berrien County Trial Court.

His co-defendant, Jonathan David Wilkes, 34, also of N. Sixth Street in Niles, was sentenced to a minimum of 40 months and maximum of 60 years in prison.

Both pleaded guilty to one count of armed robbery for their roles in an incident that took place at Fulkerson Park in Niles Township Jan. 30.

Judge Angela Pasula said Wilkes got into an argument with a group of teenagers who were playing basketball at the park that evening. The argument turned into a fight and Wilkes eventually left the scene.

However, Wilkes returned to the park a short time later with his friend, Miller, who brought a loaded handgun and fired the gun at least five times. Miller said he did not fire the gun at the teens, but instead fired it into the air as a way to protect his friend, whom he described as being diminutive in stature. A phone was taken from one of the teens.

“I wanted to do everything I could to get him out of that situation,” Miller said.

Pasula questioned why Miller and Wilkes returned to the park at all, saying they escalated the situation into something much more serious than a fight.

“The situation was totally avoidable,” she said. “When you bring a loaded weapon you are creating the potential for fatalities and tragedy.”

Prosecutor Cortney O’Malley said Wilkes had no prior criminal record except for a noise ordinance violation from several years ago.

Pasula said Miller’s past criminal history was much more extensive, including five previous trips to jail and two to prison.

Wilkes apologized for his actions.

“Given the opportunity I can show that wasn’t me,” he said.