Man indicted in post office scare

Suspects were indicted on attempted murder, inducing panic and burglary charges.

By PETER H. MILLIKEN

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — The Mahoning County grand jury indicted a Grafton man on charges of inducing panic and making false alarms in the July 30, 2007, evacuation at the downtown post office.

Indicted Thursday on the fourth degree felony charges is 28-year-old David Kopnitsky.

On July 30, three 911 call were made, alleging that robberies were occurring at different locations around the city, including the post office; and all of the reports proved to be false.

But dozens of police cars and officers, together with sheriff’s deputies, FBI agents and postal inspectors converged on the post office early that evening after being told a gunman attempted a robbery and that a shot was fired in the lobby, shattering a large window.

Thirty-six postal employees were evacuated for three hours. Although a post office window was shattered from the outside, possibly by a rock, no postal employees reported seeing any gunman enter the building.

The grand jury also indicted Frederick T. Easterly, 25, of Manhattan Avenue, on charges of attempted murder, felonious assault and aggravated burglary, with firearm specifications to all counts.

Easterly is charged in the Jan. 6 shooting of Godfrey L. Gurley, 27, in the neck and back as Gurley was returning to his Cumberland Circle apartment in Austintown. Austintown police were unsure of the motive. Gurley spent one day in the hospital. Easterly was arrested and jailed Jan. 9.

Also indicted on an attempted murder charge is Layton White, 33, of Howard Street. In the Jan. 5 case, White is charged in the indictment with felonious assault and attempted murder in an attack on Elmira Mendenhall. Both charges carry firearm specifications. Because of a 1998 marijuana possession conviction, White is also indicted on a charge of illegal gun possession.

Another notable indictment is that of Charles L. Zimmerman, 36, of Hunter Street, who faces five counts of burglary at various Youngstown area locations in late December and January, and one count each of theft, disrupting public services, aggravated burglary, robbery and kidnapping.

Repeat violent offender specifications based on a 1998 burglary conviction apply to all counts except the theft and disrupting public services charges.

The aggravated burglary, robbery and kidnapping charges pertain to the Jan. 7 invasion of the home of an 84-year-old Shady Run Road man, who was punched and had his wallet taken. Zimmerman was arrested in Campbell the following day after a manhunt and jailed under $1.5 million bond.

Others indicted are:

UJames George, 27, of Alliance-Sebring Road, Alliance, violation of a protection order, rape, kidnapping and domestic violence and two counts of aggravated burglary, with gun specifications to all counts.

UMichelle A. Chester, 23, of Barrington Drive, Austintown, two counts of patient abuse.

UAlvin Toles, 33, of Miller Street, Warren, aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, two counts of kidnapping, and seven counts of rape.

UBlakley McKelly, 49, of Glenwood Avenue, attempted aggravated burglary and menacing by stalking.

UWilliam J. Patrick, 29, of West Calla Road, Canfield, two felony counts of driving under the influence of alcohol.

URobert F. Baker Jr., 38, of West Maryland Avenue, Sebring, misdemeanor driving under the influence of alcohol.

URichard A. Zimmerman, 42, of Applejack Lane, Greensburg, Pa., carrying a concealed weapon.

UMichele C. Carr, 52, of Chaney Circle, cocaine possession.

UJasmine J. Barnes, 23, of Alameda Avenue, assault.

UDennis Wilson, 42, of Hudson Avenue, breaking and entering and possessing criminal tools.

UDanyelle R. Stanley, 32, of Louise Rita Court, cocaine possession and aggravated trafficking in cocaine with forfeiture specifications.

UVictoria K. DeMain, 22, of Lynhaven Road, theft and receiving stolen property.

UChristopher D. Little, 21, of Sunshine Avenue, misdemeanor failure to comply with a police order.

URenee R. Culver, 26, of Upland Avenue, cocaine possession.

UAshley A. Podojil, 20, of Wayland Road, Deerfield, heroin possession.

URandall Hover, 19, of South Lakeview Avenue, improperly handling a gun in a motor vehicle.

UWilliam Gray, 27, of Idlewood Avenue, cocaine possession.

UPatrick F. Bradley Jr., 38, of Maywood Drive, breaking and entering, possessing criminal tools and receiving stolen property.

UCharmaine M. Moore, 27, of Cohasset Drive, obstructing justice.

UEdward E. Taylor, 47, of Thornton Avenue, two counts of felonious assault with gun specifications and being a felon with a gun.

UBenjamin Stickney, 28, of West Fifth Street, Salem, tampering with evidence and cocaine possession.

UEric D. Johnston, 48, of Howard Street, Austintown, rape and four counts of gross sexual imposition.

UDelataire G. White, 25, of Mahoning County jail, vandalism.

The grand jury declined to indict Rebecca Ward on a theft charge.