COUNTY COURT Austintown and Canfield

Several people recently appeared before Judge David D'Apolito in Mahoning County Court in Austintown and Judge Scott Hunter in county court in Canfield, including:
Joseph Dina, 36, of Rita Avenue, Austintown, pleaded innocent in Austintown court to domestic violence. He is accused of injuring his ex-wife, Austintown Patrolwoman Kathy Dina, by closing a door on her during a dispute Nov. 23. Joseph Dina posted $1,500 bond. The case was transferred to Canfield court because Judge D'Apolito had a conflict of interest. No date has been set for the next hearing.
William Perez Jr., 19, of Sterling Avenue, Youngstown, appeared in Austintown court and heard a charge of receiving stolen property. No plea was accepted, as the charge is a felony. Police said Perez was one of a group of teens who stole several car stereos in Austintown during the weekend of Nov. 22. Computer records do not indicate his bond amount. His next hearing is set for Dec. 15.
Christopher Cook, 23, of Deer Creek apartments, Austintown, pleaded guilty in Austintown court to reckless operation. A failure to comply charge was dismissed. Cook led Austintown police on a car chase in September from state Route 46 to Dunlap Road. Cook was ordered to pay $165 in fines and court costs and given a 180-day jail sentence, with 177 days suspended and one day credit for time served. He also was ordered to serve a year of reporting probation.
Paul Tornero, 35, of Front Street, New Philadelphia, pleaded innocent in Austintown court to obstructing justice and resisting arrest. Tornero is accused of running from Austintown police in October at a West Webb Road tavern, where he was seen with a woman who had injuries to her head and face. Police later caught Tornero at a state Route 46 truck stop. He posted $2,500 bond, and his next hearing is set for Dec. 8.
William Grimm, 21, of Black Oak Lane, Austintown, and Earl Whitlow, 18, of Tyrell Street, Youngstown, each pleaded guilty to reduced charges of misdemeanor attempted breaking and entering. They had been charged with felony breaking and entering. Grimm and Whitlow broke into a computer store in November on Mahoning Avenue is Austintown. Police later searched a car Grimm was driving and found two guns and several computer games and parts. Grimm also pleaded guilty to improper handling of a firearm and a reduced charge of misdemeanor possession of criminal tools. He had been charged with felony possession of criminal tools. Whitlow also pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of misdemeanor attempted possession of criminal tools; he had been charged with felony possession of criminal tools. Grimm was ordered to pay $3,000 in restitution and $225 in fines and court costs. He also was given a 180-day jail sentence, with 30 days suspended and 18 days credit for time served, and was ordered to surrender the guns, serve two years of reporting probation, and have no contact with the computer store. Whitlow was ordered to pay $585 in fines and court costs and given a 180-day jail sentence, with 150 days suspended and 18 days credit for time served. He also was ordered to serve a year of reporting probation.
Edward Pietruszka Jr., 50, of Woodhurst Drive, Austintown, appeared in Austintown court and heard charges of grant theft and forgery. No pleas were accepted, as the charges are felonies. Pietruszka is accused of stealing $38,000 from his former employer, an Austintown auto-repair business. He was released on his own recognizance, and his next hearing is set for Jan. 8.
Justin Trickett, 29, of South Portland Avenue, Youngstown, pleaded innocent in Austintown court to resisting arrest, possession of drug paraphernalia and drug abuse. Trickett is accused of struggling with Austintown police during a traffic stop in August. Police said they later found suspected marijuana and a pipe in Trickett's pocket. Trickett posted $1,500 bond. No date has been set for his next hearing.
Scott Baker of Akron-Canfield Road, Canfield, pleaded no contest in Canfield court to driving under the influence. Police said Baker had a blood-alcohol level of .101 when he backed into a cruiser on East Main Street in Canfield last year. Judge D'Apolito ordered Baker to pay $565 in fines and court costs and sentenced him to 180 days in jail, with 170 days suspended. Baker also was ordered to complete alcohol counseling.
Fred McCall Jr., 46, of Hart Street, Akron, pleaded innocent in Canfield court to criminal simulation. Police said McCall was a passenger in a car that contained 83 suspected counterfeit CDs and 35 suspected counterfeit DVDs when it was pulled over in October on West Main Street in Canfield. He posted $1,250 bond and his next hearing is set for Wednesday.
Source: Court records