That has long been a problem for may folks.
In circumstances similar to those being discussed, the original actions were possibly questionable or imprudent but substantially not grave or illegal. Driven by fear of overzealous prosecution, the perpetrators attempt to obfuscate or alter the record of their actions and in the process they conspire.
The act of conspiring oft times carriers legal penalties well in excess of those accorded to the original action even if those original actions were subsequently deemed illegal.
This may well be the case in these circumstances.
See post 31. By prosecuting him (and getting a conviction) for "discharging a firearm during a crime of violence", sentencing standards tacked on a mandatory minimum of ten years (on top of any other sentence imposed). That is where the sentence really racked up. There is a whole lot of question as to whether applying that law was appropriate.