The NPR text should be more clear that the "35 years" was, like the possible fines, an "up to" number.
But, if that maximum-possible-but-unlikely number is "true enough" for blustery prosecutors – officers of the court! – to put in all their press releases and interviews, then it's also true enough to be relayed by other sources.
Yes, everyone should understand that any actual sentence, by plea deal or conviction, will essentially always be less. But unless another expert like Popehat goes on record, with their own offense-levels & history-categories sentencing-chart analysis, what's available for reporting is the prosecutor's claim. And since every prosecutor does the same "maximum" puffery, there is still rough comparison value from those press-release numbers.
The prosecution is lying about sentences. Those press releases are deceptive. Knowingly amplifying a lie, without context, is wrong. "True enough" isn't good enough. NPR is better than that.
But, if that maximum-possible-but-unlikely number is "true enough" for blustery prosecutors – officers of the court! – to put in all their press releases and interviews, then it's also true enough to be relayed by other sources.
Yes, everyone should understand that any actual sentence, by plea deal or conviction, will essentially always be less. But unless another expert like Popehat goes on record, with their own offense-levels & history-categories sentencing-chart analysis, what's available for reporting is the prosecutor's claim. And since every prosecutor does the same "maximum" puffery, there is still rough comparison value from those press-release numbers.