ALLEGED BOMBING RINGLEADER SENTENCED IN DRUG CASE

FAIRFIELD, Calif. -- A man accused of plotting a courthouse bombing to try to
avoid trial on drug charges has been sentenced to 110 years to life in
prison on the narcotics charges.

Kevin Lee Robinson, 30, was sentenced Monday in Solano County Superior
Court. A jury convicted him in September of 10 weapons and drug charges
stemming from two raids in 1995 and 1996 at several residences he owned in
Vallejo.

Robinson sat slumped in a chair next to his attorney and closed his eyes as
the sentence was pronounced by Judge R. Michael Smith.

Known as ``Big Kev,'' Robinson, who also had a legitimate career as a rap
producer, seemed considerably thinner than the 300 pounds he weighed when
he was arrested last year.

Robinson and five other men are accused in a series of bombings in January
1997 that damaged an ATM bank machine and blew out 22 windows in the
Vallejo courthouse. Police believe the men wanted to destroy evidence in
Robinson's drug case, which fell under the state's three-strikes sentencing
law.

Other targets included the Solano County District Attorney's office and a
Vallejo police locker.

In the drug case, Solano County probation officials recommended that
Robinson serve 61 years in prison. County prosecutors were seeking the
maximum of 265 years. Smith's sentence came down in the middle, with
several of Robinson's prison terms to be served concurrently rather than
consecutively.

``It's no big surprise,'' Robinson's attorney, Daniel J. Russo, said
outside the courtroom, referring to three-strikes guidelines mandating
25-year-to-life sentences for a third felony conviction.

``We were asking for the maximum, but it is a fair and judicious judgment
in the view of the people,'' Solano County Deputy District Attorney Don du
Bain said.

Robinson will remain at the Solano County Jail pending the outcome of the
bombing and conspiracy charges filed against him. His case is scheduled to
go to a preliminary hearing on March 20.

His five alleged co-conspirators have already been indicted by a county
grand jury. Trial dates will be set in April.