YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office is objecting to the release of inmate Fred Roberts, who is currently serving a 20-to-50-year prison sentence for the killing of his mother and the attempted murder of his father.
Roberts pleaded guilty to one count of Involuntary Manslaughter, one count of Attempted Murder, and one count of Failure to Comply with an Order or Signal of a Police Officer. He was sentenced to 20 to 50 years in prison for fatally stabbing his mother and severely injuring his father on May 2, 1993.
During his incarceration, Roberts has accumulated 18 rule violations between May 2006 and March 2023. His Institutional Summary Report highlights ongoing disciplinary problems and a pattern of disregarding prison rules. In two separate incidents, Roberts conspired with an outside source to smuggle contraband into the facility. Additionally, Roberts has spent the majority of his incarceration classified as a Level 2 or Level 3 inmate. Within the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, these classifications reflect the degree of security risk posed by an inmate. Level 2 inmates are considered medium security, requiring heightened supervision and restrictions due to behavioral concerns or the nature of their crimes. Level 3 inmates represent an even higher security risk, often requiring controlled movement within the facility, stricter housing assignments, and closer monitoring due to their history of violent conduct and serious infractions. Roberts’ consistent placement in these higher security levels explains his ongoing threat to institutional safety and order.
For all of these reasons, the Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office, through Prosecutor Lynn A. Maro, strongly objects to the release of Fred Roberts.
