One of four men accused of robbing an Orland Park jewelry store more than a year ago pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 16 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, according to court records.

Darrin Carter, 35, pleaded guilty to one count of armed robbery in Cook County Judge Colleen Ann Hyland's Bridgeview courtroom on Tuesday. As part of the deal, 16 additional felony counts, including aggravated kidnapping, unlawful restraint and robbery, were dismissed.

In addition to the 16-year stint, Carter is set to spend three years on parole upon his release and pay $394 in court costs. He has been in custody on $500,000 bond since he was arrested days after the robbery and will receive credit for 441 days he spent in county hail.

Carter's three co-defendants, Charles Harper, 38, Antoinne Kelly, 32, and Lance P. Vaughn, 33, are proceeding with their cases. Vaughn remains in custody on $500,000 bond; Harper and Kelly, also in custody, were both been denied bond.

All three are scheduled to be back in court on Feb. 20.

Police said Harper and Kelly entered Jewelry Gems and Designs, 9542 W. 147th St., on Oct. 25, 2011 posing as customers and then, brandishing a gun, tied the store’s employee and owner with duct tape.

Carter entered and helped gather an undisclosed amount of jewelry before the three men split up into two cars, one driven by Vaughn, police said.

It is unknown whether conditions of Carter's plea will require him to testify against the other three. Carter's defense attorney was not immediately available for comment Wednesday.

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