Youngstown man pleads to charges in YSU hazing case

YOUNGSTOWN — One of nine men charged in a Youngstown State University fraternity hazing case that sent one man to the hospital with serious injuries has pleaded guilty to charges in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

Michael Charles, 28, of Illinois Avenue, was set for trial today before Judge James C. Evans of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court on two counts of felonious assault. Charles, however, entered into a plea agreement with prosecutors just before his trial started.

Charles pleaded guilty to amended charges of felony inciting to violence and misdemeanor assault. No sentencing date has been set.

Rebecca Doherty, an assistant county prosecutor, said Charles faces up to three and a half years in prison at sentencing.

“I am very glad Mr. Charles took responsibility for his conduct in this incident,” she said.

The charges stemmed from the repeated beating of two pledges to the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity at a home in Youngstown in early 2012.

Charles has been free on a $50,000 bond since he was arrested in February 2012 and ordered to have no contact with YSU, the fraternity or the two victims in the case.

Eight other men are charged in the case and are awaiting trial. They are: Lavell Sharp, 25, of Green Acres Drive, Liberty; Wade Hampton, 24, of Austintown; Jairus Ford, 32, of Greeley Lane; Jason Anderson, 27, of Illinois Avenue; Trey McCune, 21, of Ohio Avenue; Edward Robertson, 28, of Catalina Avenue; Jerome Justice, 28, of Campbell; and Raheem Satterthwaite, 22, of Illinois Avenue.

For the complete story, read Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com