This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

NEW ORLEANS –A man faces life in prison for stealing candy.

Jacobia Grimes is accused of taking $31 worth of candy bars from a store in Louisiana.

Grimes has five prior theft convictions.

Under state law, that makes him eligible for a harsher sentence ranging from 20 years to life.

Orleans Parish prosecutors chose to charge Grimes under that statute.

“Isn’t this a little over the top,” said Judge Franz Zibilich at the arraignment. “Twenty years to life for a Snickers bar, or two or three or four.”

Grimes’ attorneys say all their clients thefts were for less than $500.

Stolen items include socks and pants from a Dollar General store.