ERIE — A man who took part in a bizarre bank robbery plot that turned deadly when a bomb affixed to the neck of a pizza deliveryman exploded was sentenced to 45 years in federal prison Wednesday.

Kenneth Barnes, 55, was "intimately involved" and not just a minor player in the plot, U.S. District Judge Sean McLaughlin said. Barnes suggested bomb parts, provided magazine articles about bomb making and was present when the bomb was put on Brian Wells, McLaughlin said.

Barnes, of Erie, apologized to Wells' family before the sentence was imposed.

"What happened to him was something that wasn't supposed to happen," Barnes said.

Barnes had pleaded guilty in September to using a destructive device — the bomb — during a crime of violence and conspiracy to commit bank robbery. The prison term was beyond the 30-year mandatory minimum required by law.

Prosecutors have concluded Wells was an active member in the scheme at first, but was coerced as the plot unfolded. When he realized the bomb was real, he refused to put it on and did so only after threatened with a gun, prosecutors have said.

Wells' family, however, continues to assert that he was an innocent victim who had no role in planning the robbery.

On Wednesday, Wells' sister spent more than 20 minutes defending her brother and urging Barnes to tell all that he knows.

Barnes, wearing an orange prison uniform, rocked back and forth in his seat gently as Jean Heid said her brother was "forced to play the role of the bomb hostage in an evil, sadistic, barbaric plot Ken Barnes and others premeditated, planned and executed that sunny day."

That night, her brother was planning to have dinner with their mother, another sister and brother-in-law and watch movies he had rented the day before, Heid said.

"We are outraged that known killers have been able to gain the upper hand on law enforcement and reduce their vicious crime to a plea bargain, omitting murder," Heid said.

No murder charges have been filed in the case, and a count of armed bank robbery against Barnes was dropped.

Law enforcement increased the family's pain by implicating her brother, Heid said.

"Taking the word of convicted criminals involved with killing Brian is not substantial evidence of any sort," she said.

Turning to face Barnes, Heid said, "Ken, there is hope for you to change, to confess the murder of my brother Brian."

She also asked Barnes if he wanted "rest for his soul." Faith, she said, has helped Wells' family get through the past five years.

The plot's alleged mastermind, Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong, 59, is awaiting an exam to determine if she is mentally competent to stand trial. Barnes has agreed to testify against her. Barnes' attorney said the long sentence was expected, though she hopes it may be reduced.