Deal pleads guilty in Youngstown assault case | News, sports, work

Tony Hinchcliff

YOUNGSTOWN — Richard J. Armstrong Jr., 46, has undergone numerous evaluations over the past four years to determine his suitability to stand trial since he was charged in September 2020 with aggravated robbery, assault and other charges , accepted the plea agreement on Monday.

He pleaded guilty before Judge Anthony D’Apolito of Mahoning County Common Pleas to charges of robbery, assault and possession of a firearm. Other charges against him were dismissed.

This may have been the first trial in several years in which Armstrong’s mental health was not a serious issue. Armstrong, of Youngstown, has been in custody at the Mahoning County Jail since August 2020, although he has spent some of that time in facilities where he can be evaluated or treated for mental health issues.

Armstrong was charged following an August 2020 incident at the Days Inn in Boardman in which he allegedly followed a man into a hotel and forced him into his hotel room at gunpoint.

Boardman’s police report stated that the victim told police that Armstrong had two guns pointed at his head. The victim offered Armstrong money, but Armstrong did not accept it. The victim was eventually able to leave the hotel room and contact Boardman police.

On Monday, attorney Mark Lavelle, representing Armstrong, said his client had been giving instructions recently and was “fully alert, alert, alert, off medication, but it doesn’t seem to be affecting him.” He’s in great shape.”

Steve Maszczak, an assistant district attorney, explained that prosecutors are recommending a sentence of 6 to 7 1/2 years in prison for Armstrong, but the defense is seeking a lesser sentence. Armstrong will be sentenced on November 19 at 2:30 p.m.

Lavelle said the judge agreed to sentence Armstrong to five to six years in prison, but it was important for Armstrong to hear directly from the judge.

The judge stated that he had an obligation to inform Armstrong of all potential sentences Armstrong could receive, but also informed him that he intended to sentence Armstrong to five to six years in prison. But he warned him that Armstrong must not commit any violations while awaiting sentencing.

The judge also explained that Armstrong will be on post-release supervision for 18 months to three years after leaving prison. If he violates the conditions of post-release control, he can return to prison for half of his sentence, i.e. 2 and a half years.

When Armstrong was asked if he understood everything, he replied that he did, but he wanted “the record to say that I agreed to sign a five-year term” and with credit for four years and three months in prison while awaiting trial: “I expect that I will be released from prison next year.”

Lavelle said he calculated Armstrong’s release date to be Aug. 19, 2025, “if you give him five years and there won’t be any problems.” The judge agreed with those statements and said he would appreciate Armstrong “for every day he spends in prison.” This is the law and I never wanted to prevent the defendant from receiving such a deadline.”