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A homeless man in Pennsylvania is facing a seven-year prison sentence for paying 43 cents less for soda at a convenience store.



According to foreign media such as the Washington Post on the 22nd local time, a homeless man in his 30s named Joseph Sobolevsky picked up a bottle of drink sold at a convenience store for $2.29 a bottle and $3 a bottle.



He paid $2 and left the convenience store with a bottle of soda, and the convenience store reported to the police that the man paid 43 cents (about 500 won) less including tax.



It is known that the convenience store is selling two bottles of the drink for $3, but it is known that the homeless person is charged with theft, saying that if you buy only one bottle, you will have to pay $2.29.



Court records revealed that the man was arrested on the 23rd of last month and immediately sent to prison.



He was found to have had two prior convictions for theft and was subject to aggravated punishment.



This is because some areas of the United States, such as Pennsylvania, are implementing the so-called 'three strikeout system', which requires aggravated punishment for those who commit a third offense and sentenced to at least life in prison.




Local media reported that if convicted, he could face a minimum sentence of two years and six months to a maximum of seven years in prison.



A Pennsylvania Police Department spokeswoman said: "Anyone convicted of two prior convictions for theft of sleeves automatically faces a felony penalty, regardless of the amount," and emphasized that the penalty was a lawful outcome under state law.



But the Pennsylvania Amnesty Commission said it was "just a matter of a few cents" and "it should be pointed out that the value of the goods was not taken into account during the arrest process."



Some media reported that he only saw '$3 for two bottles' and may have thought that a bottle of drink was $1.5.



The man, on bail of $50,000, is said to have been arrested and awaiting his next trial.



This is a 'news pick'.