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Suspect Faces 232 Years In Prison For "Gruesome" Assault

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A home invasion so violent, City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby described it as "gruesome" and "heinous." Now one of the suspects accused of breaking into a Baltimore home and assaulting the family living there is up for sentencing.

Amy Yensi has the latest.

City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby says the suspects tormented several children and a pregnant woman for nearly two hours. That's why she's throwing the book at the main suspect.

David Perkins is facing up to 232 years in prison for his leading role in a violent home invasion in August 2014.

"That an individual would put a gun to a nine-year-old baby's head and then to drag a woman who is eight and a half months pregnant up and down the stairs by her hair---that's completely unacceptable," Mosby said.

Police say Perkins had help from his accomplice, Pierre Sims. The two men are accused of forcing themselves into a home on the 24-hundred block of E. Fayette Street. The seven members---mostly children and a pregnant woman---were found bound and gagged in the basement. After ransacking the home, the suspects got away with a stash of cash and electronics.

Cops made the disturbing discovery after getting a tip that the family was being held hostage.

Both men were arrested after investigators tracked down a cell phone, one of several items stolen from the home.

"After working with the family and looking at the culpability of each of the individuals, we came up with the conclusion that this was the most culpable and this was the individual we wanted to get off the streets," Mosby said.

This week, a jury found Perkins guilty on multiple counts of assault, robbery and burglary. Sims pleaded guilty and will be sentenced to 30 years with all but 12 years suspended.

Mosby says the punishments fit the crimes.

"I'm very optimistic that 232 years sends a very strong message, not only to the criminal element but to the family that justice will always be pursued," Mosby said.

Perkins will be sentenced on August 16.

Sims must serve five years in jail before he's up for parole.

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