Judge sentences man to one year in prison for barricading episode

Mock still faces additional charges in Mahoning County.

WARREN — The 38-year-old Austintown man who held police at bay for nine hours at the Holiday Inn MetroPlex in Liberty in July has been sentenced to one year in prison.

Bobby J. Mock pleaded guilty Tuesday to felony counts of vandalism and inducing panic in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court. Judge Andrew Logan sentenced him to one year in prison on each charge, to be served at the same time. The year will be served in addition to the 3 1/2 years he got in July in Mahoning County for two counts of receiving stolen property and one of breaking and entering.

Mock blamed his drug addictions and being off his medicine for his actions July 18, when police went to the hotel to arrest him. Police were attempting to serve warrants charging Mock and Brian Simione of Youngstown with trying to steal an automated teller machine at St. Elizabeth Health Center and other burglaries.

Officers were able to grab Simione out of the room, but Mock, armed with two handguns, slammed the door, barricading himself and a woman in the room.

Police later identified the woman as Melissa Simione, Simione’s wife. Mock threatened to harm his hostage and himself. Mock eventually fell asleep, allowing Melissa Simione to escape.

Mock eventually surrendered after an officer shot tear gas into his fourth-floor room.

Mock still must face 15 felony charges related to break-ins in Mahoning County.

Youngstown police officials say Mock has a long history of criminal behavior having to do with theft dating back to the 1980s.