Guilty plea made in extortion case

YOUNGSTOWN — A 39-year-old man pleaded guilty to extorting money from an elderly widow just before opening statements were to be made in his jury trial.

Timmogene Howell, also known as Tim Howell, of Bonnie Brae Avenue, pleaded guilty as charged to one count of extortion Tuesday before Judge R. Scott Krichbaum of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

J. Michael Thompson, assistant county prosecutor, recommended a five-year probation, with the first four to six months to be served in residence at the Community Corrections Association on Market Street, and with full $2,295 restitution to be paid to the 77-year-old victim, who Thompson said is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

Thompson said the widow and her family agreed with his recommendation, which he said was made to avoid putting the victim through the ordeal of a trial.