YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – James Blackwell, 25, has plead guilty to one count of Aggravated Robbery with an attached firearm specification and two counts of Kidnapping. Blackwell entered his guilty plea on Monday morning, avoiding a trial scheduled for August 10th. Assistant Prosecutor Joseph Suszczynski successfully prosecuted the case. The Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office will be recommending 7-10½ years in prison during sentencing.
Blackwell will be sentenced on September 24th.
The charges stem from an incident in which Blackwell threatened the victims with a firearm and forced them into his vehicle. The victims were able to escape and contact the Youngstown Police Department. Officers located Blackwell a short time later and took him into custody.
Mahoning County Prosecutor Lynn Maro commends the work of her assistant prosecutor and the Youngstown Police Department for their hard work on the case.
