TRUMBULL COUNTY Niles man pleads guilty in rape case

A 17-year-old also faces charges in the case.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A 20-year-old Niles man pleaded guilty Monday to raping a woman last month.
Anthony Vogle of Maple Street entered guilty pleas in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court to charges of rape, aggravated robbery and felonious assault.
Judge Peter Kontos said Vogle will be sentenced after a background check by the county adult probation department. In exchange for his guilty pleas, the prosecution agreed to dismiss charges of kidnapping and aggravated burglary.
Sarah Kovoor, an assistant Trumbull County prosecutor, said Vogle faces up to 28 years in prison.
Allegations: City police say Vogle and Booker Jones, 17, of North River Road, Howland, forced their way into the woman's South Project Street home around 3 a.m. May 21 and sexually assaulted her. Police said the woman did not know her attackers.
Kovoor said during Monday's hearing that Vogle also threatened the woman with a knife, stole her cellular telephone and punched her in the face.
Jones is facing charges in Trumbull County Juvenile Court of delinquency by way of aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary and rape.
"I'm very happy that we have a plea on this case already," Police Chief John Mandopoulos said. "The plea comes three weeks after the offense took place. This was a very serious crime and I am extremely proud of the work of this police department."
Sean O'Brien, an assistant Trumbull County prosecutor, said a hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. June 26 to determine whether Jones should be charged as an adult.