DETROIT – The Latest on the sentencing of a Detroit-area doctor who performed unnecessary spinal surgeries in California and Michigan (all times local):

5:45 p.m.

A Detroit-area doctor has been sentenced to nearly 20 years in prison for performing poor or unnecessary spinal surgeries in California and Michigan.

Federal Judge Paul Borman ordered the punishment Monday after listening to 14 former patients who told emotional stories about their treatment under Dr. Aria Sabit (SAB’-it). Some wore braces or supported themselves with canes. A woman was in a wheelchair.

Borman called it “cruel and unusual punishment.” Sabit had a financial stake in a company that made spinal devices. He worked at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura, California, until moving to Michigan in 2011.

Sabit, a native of Afghanistan, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and fraud. He apologized and told the judge that he’s responsible for the pain and suffering.

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2:05 p.m.

Victims are calling for a long prison sentence for a Detroit-area doctor who performed poor or unnecessary spinal surgeries in California and Michigan.

A judge heard tearful pleas from former patients Monday in Detroit federal court. Some of Dr. Aria Sabit’s (SAB’-it) victims entered court with canes. One woman was in a wheelchair.

Sabit pleaded guilty to conspiracy and fraud. He admits hurting patients and cheating insurers with his work. One of his victims is Rick Porterfield, who was an executive at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura, California, where Sabit was on staff.

Porterfield says, “Every move I make hurts.” He says he had to retire because of complications from Sabit’s surgery.

Sabit moved to Michigan in 2011. Angela Martin says her daughter was a victim of a “butchery job.”