YOUNGSTOWN Man faces license and loud-music charges

At one point, the defendant was on triple probation.
By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Frank J. Brown, released from prison about three weeks ago on gun and drug convictions, had no valid license when police stopped his Lexus for loud music, police say.
If convicted of driving under suspension, Brown, 23, of West Ravenwood Avenue faces up to 180 days in jail.
If found guilty of loud music, it would be his fourth conviction. Municipal court records show he was convicted of loud music twice in 2002 and once in 2001.
Third and subsequent loud music convictions call for up to 60 days in jail, with a mandatory minimum of three days and forfeiture of the stereo equipment. The fine can be as much as $1,000.
Pulled over
Brown, who was released from prison June 16, had his Lexus pulled over Saturday on West Ravenwood by police working a Gun Reduction Interdiction Project detail on the South Side. Reports show his license had been suspended for failure to have insurance.
Brown pleaded innocent at arraignment this week and is due back in court Aug. 22. He posted $250 bond, 10 percent of the $2,500 set.
The following reflects Brown's gun and drug convictions:
UFeb. 22, 2002: In Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, Judge Robert G. Lisotto sentenced Brown to two years' community control, commonly called probation. Brown had been found guilty of carrying a concealed weapon and trafficking in marijuana. (Offense was Feb. 24, 2001).
UApril 17, 2002: Brown, while on probation to Judge Lisotto, pleaded no contest in municipal court to drug abuse, amended from drug trafficking. (Offense was Feb. 5, 2002). Judge Robert P. Milich sentenced him to 180 days in jail, suspended it all, fined him $250 and placed him on two years' nonreporting probation.
UDec. 11, 2002: In Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, Judge James C. Evans sentenced Brown to one year in prison for carrying a concealed weapon and one year for illegal possession of a weapon, based on a prior conviction. The time ran concurrent and Brown was given credit for 178 days served in jail prior to sentencing. (Offense was June 15, 2002, while Brown was on probation to Judge Lisotto and Judge Milich).
On July 8, 2002, five months before Judge Evans sentenced Brown on the gun convictions, he pleaded no contest in municipal court to loud music, his third. Judge Robert A. Douglas Jr. sentenced Brown to 60 days in jail and one year's nonreporting probation.
Triple probation
In effect, Brown was on triple probation -- to Judges Lisotto, Milich and Douglas.
Based on Brown's second gun conviction in December 2002, Judge Lisotto revoked Brown's probation (from Feb. 22, 2002) and sentenced him to one year in prison to run concurrent with the time imposed by Judge Evans.
Brown was at the Ohio State Penitentiary from Feb. 19 to June 16.
meade@vindy.com