Opinion ID: 1963191
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Cruz's Multiple Sentences

Text: Cruz next argues that his sentence was illegal because he was sentenced based on four different crimes that arose out of the same behavioral incident. Generally, an individual's conduct that constitutes more than one crime can result in a punishment for only one of the offenses. Minn.Stat. § 609.035 (2008). However, when multiple victims are involved, multiple and consecutive sentences are allowed. State v. Richardson, 670 N.W.2d 267, 284 (Minn.2003). As long as the multiple sentences do not unfairly exaggerate the criminality of the conduct, one sentence may be imposed for each victim. State v. Whittaker, 568 N.W.2d 440, 453 (Minn.1997). As our standard of review is abuse of discretion, and we have upheld similar sentences before, see id., we conclude that the district court did not err in giving Cruz multiple sentences for multiple victims.