TRUMBULL COUNTY Rapist to serve 5 years in prison

The defendant told the judge that he was sorry for his actions.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A 17-year-old Howland boy who has pleaded guilty to a rape charge will spend the next five years in prison.
Booker Jones of North River Road was sentenced to the prison term Monday by Judge Peter Kontos of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court.
Jones, who pleaded guilty to the rape charge in December, told the court he was sorry for his actions.
Jones could have faced up to 10 years in prison, prosecutors said.
Jones is accused of raping a Warren woman in May. A juvenile court ruling in July allowed Jones to be tried as an adult.
Jones had been indicted on charges of rape, aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary. Atty. Sean O'Brien, assistant prosecutor, agreed to dismiss the robbery and burglary charges in exchange for Booker's guilty plea.
Details of crime: Police said Anthony Vogle, 20, of Maple Street in Niles and Jones forced their way into the woman's South Project Street home around 3 a.m. May 21.
Prosecutors said Vogle threatened the woman with a knife, stole her cellular telephone and punched her in the face.
Vogle pleaded guilty in June to charges of rape, aggravated robbery and felonious assault. He was sentenced July 23 by Judge Kontos to five years on each charge, to be served simultaneously.
The victim did not speak at Jones' hearing. She did, however, speak during Vogle's hearing and asked the judge at the time to give Vogle the maximum prison term.
She said that since the attack, her doctor has placed her on antidepressant medication. She said her two babies were in the living room when she was raped.
Vogle could have received up to 28 years in prison.
In exchange for his guilty pleas, the prosecution dismissed the kidnapping and burglary counts.
sinkovich@vindy.com