CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Perry Joines was facing so many charges that the deal he made with prosecutors will put him behind bars until he's 72.

He took a plea deal and will spend at least 41 years in prison.

The District Attorney called Joines the mastermind, the muscle and the ringleader of a group of three that terrorized families in four different counties last winter.

In 10 different incidents, victims were robbed at gunpoint. Many were tied up. Two were shot. One person died from gunshot wounds.

The robberies happened in Mecklenburg, Gaston, Iredell and Cabarrus counties from early December 2008 until late January 2009.

Thursday, Joines and Eleni Hammond, his co-defendant, agreed to plea deals that will force them to testify against their alleged co-conspirator, Latasha Hope.

If Joines was the muscle, Hope was the bagman and Hammond the getaway driver, according to the DA.

In nearly all of the robberies, Joines and Hope forced their way inside homes, and Hope ransacked the house as Joines held the victims at bay by using a gun.

In one incident, victim Ben Aenchbacher tried to run away and was shot in the back.

Louis Navarre tried to fight back during a January robbery at his house, and Joines shot and killed him.

The deals put Joines behind bars for 41 years and Hammond for six years.

The sentences will only go into effect after they fulfill the terms of their deal, which includes testifying against Hope if she decides to go to trial.

If they don't testify or break the terms of the plea deal, Hammond and Joines will get the maximum sentence, which is essentially life in prison.

Aenchbacher was in court and talked about how the gunshot wound collapsed his lung and broke several ribs. He told the judge the physical wounds pale in comparison to the emotional pain.

"I want to thank the four District Attorneys for getting this nearly resolved in less than a year," said Aenchbacher.

Joines’ family was also in court and apologized to the victims and their families after the proceedings.

"You hear all the bad things he did, but hearing the victim's story, we were touched a lot. Our hearts go out to them, we weren't raised that way," said Joanne Joines, Perry Joines’ sister.

All the victims were seemingly chosen at random. The group drove around neighborhoods at night, looking for someone to prey on.

In a handwritten letter to the judge, Hammond revealed her involvement was fueled by drug and alcohol abuse.

A watchful neighbor helped police solve the cases.

Someone saw the getaway car around the time of one of the robberies, wrote down the license plate information and called police.

The car came back to Hammond. Police said once they spoke to her, she confessed and gave up Joines and Hope.

Timeline:

(All information according to the District Attorney's office court testimony)

Dec. 9, 2008 - Mecklenburg County: Charlotte homeowner told police he knew Latasha Hope. She invited herself over with Eleni Hammond. Hammond said she left her purse in the car. When she left, she didn't close the front door. Perry Joines forced himself in and the victim was robbed.

Dec. 14, 2008 - Mecklenburg County: Homeowner leaves house and gets in his car in his driveway. Suspects pull behind him in their car, blocking him in. Joines forces homeowner back inside home at gunpoint. Victim's wife returns homes with two children. Several items were stolen. No one is hurt.

Dec. 15, 2008 - Mecklenburg County: The victim says Hope walked up to him and said she was looking for one of her friends. Joines was sitting in a car in the man's driveway. Joines gets out and points a gun at the victim, brings him in the house, ties him up with a belt and puts a bathrobe over his face. The group steals several items.

Dec. 17, 2008 - Mecklenburg County: Hope knocks on front door, and Joines forces his way inside. Victim is held down in a blanket. Hammond waited outside in car.

Dec. 28, 2008 - Cabarrus County: A man returns home from work at night, and sees two people standing on his street. Joines pulls a gun on the victim, forces him inside the house, and walks him through several rooms looking for money. Hope is also inside stealing items. Joines says they will drive to an ATM with the victim to get more cash, but victim runs, and gets shot in the back. Hammond drives Hope and Joines away.

Jan. 1, 2009 - Gaston County: A family is home on New Year's Day, when someone knocks on the door. Joines forces his way inside. A young child was also home, and the homeowner is wheelchair bound. Several items, including cash and a television were stolen.

Jan. 2, 2009 - Mecklenburg County: A man returns home from work, when he was approached by the group. He's held down by Joines, and when he tried to fight back, Joines shot and killed him. Louis Navarre lived alone. His college class ring was stolen, and the suspects were seen on video at a local pawn shop.

Jan. 5, 2009 - Mecklenburg County: Joines approached the victim and forced him inside his home at gunpoint. His wife was home, and young son was in bed. Joines forced him to the floor and held them at bay at gunpoint, while Hope stole items.

Jan. 19, 2009 - Iredell County; A woman answers the doorbell at night, and Joines forces his way inside. He brings in her into the kitchen at gunpoint, and holds her there while Hope steals items from the house.