Fired firefighter agrees to plea deal

The firefighter agreed not to appeal the loss of his job.

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — A fired city firefighter indicted on felony marijuana possession and trafficking charges has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor attempted marijuana possession charge and been placed on six months of nonreporting probation.

Andre Johnson, 26, formerly of North Fruit Street and now living in Encino, Calif., made his plea agreement and was sentenced Friday by Judge Maureen A. Sweeney of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

Under the agreement, the prosecution dropped the trafficking charge and reduced the possession charge to attempted possession, a misdemeanor. The judge fined Johnson $250, which is to be deducted from the $540 in ill-gotten gains he forfeited.

The prosecution and defense agreed to recommend probation on the condition Johnson would waive his right to appeal his termination from the fire department. The city fired him because of what it said was his “apparent participation in or acquiescence to illegal drug activity’’ at his home.

Michael J. McBride, assistant county prosecutor, said he agreed to the deal because his major goal was to keep Johnson off the fire department and because Johnson had no prior criminal convictions.

Johnson was shot in the face, stomach and leg while off duty at his North Fruit Street residence Nov. 14.

Police said they found about a pound of suspected marijuana in a duffel bag as well as drug paraphernalia and a loaded handgun at the home.

Stefin Gantt, 20, of Warren, the man charged with shooting Johnson, will have his jury trial May 12 before Judge Timothy E. Franken on charges of aggravated robbery and felonious assault with gun specifications and illegal gun possession.

During the struggle in Johnson’s basement, Gantt’s right ear was likely bitten or cut off, and he suffered a gunshot wound to his left forearm, police said. Police said they believe Gantt was at Johnson’s house to buy drugs.