Man who threw cash away to face drug sentence

YOUNGSTOWN -- A Farrell, Pa., man who tossed thousands of dollars from his car as he fled police faces a minimum three-year prison sentence on drug charges.
Lawrence M. Owens, 48, of Hamilton Street, pleaded guilty Thursday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to one count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and one count of fleeing and eluding police. Judge Maureen A. Cronin will sentence Owens later.
Owens had been charged with trafficking in marijuana, which as part of a plea agreement was amended to corrupt activity concerning the distribution of marijuana. A third charge of possession of marijuana was dismissed.
Last April, Youngstown police stopped Owens after he committed a traffic violation. Owens drove off, eventually making his way onto Interstate 680, where he began to throw money out of his car window. Police later recovered $34,450 from under the Glenwood Avenue bridge and surrounding area. Police also found 14 pounds of marijuana in Owens' car.
Prosecuting and defense attorneys will recommend a three-year prison sentence, but Judge Cronin said Owens could be sentenced to up to 13 years in prison and fines totaling $25,000.
Owens also has agreed to forfeit the $34,450, which will be split among the county sheriff's and prosecutor's offices and violent crimes task force, Judge Cronin said.