Request to rescind plea deal granted

He is accused of possessing materials to make explosives.

By ED RUNYAN

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — A former Youngstown man accused of accumulating a large supply of bomb-making materials has been permitted to rescind a plea agreement that would have likely resulted in probation.

Randy Telshaw, 55, of Canfield, appeared before Judge Maureen A. Cronin in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court on Thursday for a sentencing hearing that evolved into a hearing on his motion to withdraw his guilty plea.

Telshaw pleaded guilty May 21 to a charge of illegal assembly or possession of chemicals or substances to manufacture explosive devices. In exchange for the plea, prosecutors agreed to recommend he receive probation. The charge carries a possible penalty of between six and 18 months in prison.

But Telshaw wrote to Judge Cronin this month asking to rescind the guilty plea, saying he had second thoughts about the decision since talking with family and friends from church.

Telshaw noted his previous attorney, Mark A. Carfolo, told him in May that if he didn’t accept the prosecutor’s officer, he was likely to be charged by federal officials. That’s because of a working bazooka found in his home at the same time officials found bomb-making materials and a manual for making explosives in his Ferndale Avenue home in July 2006.

Federal sentence

Local officials have said federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives officials told them that Telshaw could face a long federal prison sentence if convicted on charges in the federal courts.

Bob Miller, resident agent in charge of the local office of the ATF, said he could not comment on what action the bureau would take in Telshaw’s case or what federal charge he could face.

Mike McBride, an assistant county prosecutor, said Telshaw’s decision will “complicate his life for a substantial period of time” because now he faces potential prosecution from both the county and federal government.

McBride said the law Telshaw is charged under was enacted by the Ohio Legislature just months before authorities found the materials in his home. A bomb technician said Telshaw had compiled all the components needed to make a bomb half the size of the one that blew up the federal building in Oklahoma City.

Telshaw’s current attorney, Jeff Limbian, said he agrees with Telshaw that the government won’t be able to prove he violated any state laws for owning the materials, in part because he had no intention of making an explosive with them.

“He has a real problem with entering a plea to something he didn’t do,” Limbian said.

After his hearing, Telshaw declined to comment on the matter, referring questions to Limbian.

runyan@vindy.com