CANTON — An Ogdensburg man accused of being involved in a gunpoint robbery at a convenience store received a 12-year prison sentence Monday in St. Lawrence County Court.

Travis M. Howe, 27, pleaded guilty in October to first-degree robbery, a class B violent felony, for his role in a March 5, 2011, armed robbery at the Twin Bridges Convenient Mart & Deli, 40 Main St., Ogdensburg.

After underscoring how much time the defendant would spend in prison, Judge Jerome J. Richards paused before posing a question.

“I want to know if it was worth it,” the judge asked.

“Is the time worth the crime? Obviously not,” replied Mr. Howe, before the judge continued a dialogue about the consequences and Mr. Howe’s understanding of them.

“I guess I’ll have to find ways to become a better person,” said Mr. Howe, who was the second person charged in the heist, which netted $340 from the store’s cash register.

A few days after the crime, Ogdensburg police charged Michael J. Wells, 26, no fixed address, with second-degree robbery and fourth-degree grand larceny.

Mr. Wells pleaded guilty May 13, 2011, before Judge Richards and in June 2011 was sentenced to 12 years in state prison plus five years of post-release supervision.

Mr. Howe wasn’t arrested in the case until January of this year.

Judge Richards issued instructions seeking confirmation of whether Mr. Howe had paid $340 in restitution. If not, that amount will be deducted from any earnings he makes in prison — as will $375 in fees and surcharges.

Mr. Howe also will be subject to five years of post-release supervision.

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