A career criminal was sentenced to 25 years-to-life in prison under California's "three-strikes" law for stealing 11 dollars worth of wine, lip balm and breath freshener.
A California law passed in 1994, the toughest such measure in the United States, mandates 25 years to life for a felony committed by someone already convicted of two serious crimes.
Superior Court Judge Frank Ochoa called Ronald Herrera (57) one of the worst criminals to pass through his Santa Barbara courtroom, and prosecutor Mr Darryl Perlin said: "He's what the three-strikes law is all about."
Herrera's record lists 17 serious felonies, including a 1971 robbery of a home and rape of a woman and her 15-year-old daughter, the shooting of a police dispatcher, and six armed robberies in Virginia.
He was sentenced yesterday for burglary and petty theft at a supermarket.
At the trial, his lawyer said Herrera has a brain injury that made him forget to pay for the items.
The US Supreme Court heard arguments earlier this month on whether such sentencing amounts to unconstitutionally cruel and unusual punishment.
AP