The conspiracy conviction could bring a life sentence.

Sentencing on the conspiracy convictions was set for Oct. 3.

The penalty, which included a $20,000 fine, was two years short of the maximum sentence allowed by law for a conspiracy conviction.

Besides the two life sentences, to be served consecutively, Judge Brewer added 12 to 15 years to the sentence for a conspiracy conviction.

In this vein, they say, the Government will have a hard time winning any conspiracy convictions.

A conspiracy conviction can bring a $25,000 fine and one year in prison.

The conspiracy conviction had been thrown out by a federal District Court judge, but the three-judge appeals panel reinstated it.

However, the conspiracy conviction and sentence were affirmed.

By contrast, drug kingpins and other felons often face prison terms of as much as 15 or 20 years for conspiracy convictions.

Sexton remains imprisoned in Florida on the conspiracy conviction.