Major player in theft ring pleads guilty

YOUNGSTOWN — One of three alleged leaders in a theft ring prosecutors say stole $400,000 worth of property has pleaded guilty as charged to all 44 counts against him.

Bobby Joe Mock, 39, of Mahoning County jail, pleaded guilty Friday to breaking and entering, theft and receiving stolen property charges and to a state Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization count.

“We believe that the defendant was a very major player and an important part of the ongoing criminal organization,” Kasey Shidel, assistant county prosecutor, said during the plea hearing.

“It’s a hapless group of individuals who largely acted individually ...This isn’t some Mafia-type organization,” said Mock’s lawyer, John Jeffrey Limbian.

The prosecution agreed to recommend a 10-year prison sentence for Mock, who repeatedly said “guilty” in rapid-fire succession as Visiting Judge Thomas P. Curran asked for his plea on each count. Mock told the judge he has a crack cocaine addiction. He said he was a crane operator until about 18 months ago.

The prosecution has also recommended a 10-year concurrent sentence for Mock in a separate felonious assault, theft, breaking and entering, receiving stolen property and safecracking case that is before Judge John M. Durkin of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. Mock pleaded guilty to those charges this week and awaits sentencing there as well.

Judge R. Scott Krichbaum has also sent Mock to prison for 3 1/2 years for a probation violation.

If all sentences would be consecutive, Mock could face up to 23 1/2 years in prison.