Violent offender to serve 13 years

The North Side woman went to prison in 1994 for aggravated burglary.

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — A 45-year-old woman who pleaded guilty to an armed invasion of an elderly woman’s home has been sentenced to 13 years in prison.

Judge James C. Evans of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court imposed the sentence Thursday on Derry L. Johnson, also known as Derrilyn Johnson, of Alameda Avenue.

Johnson earlier had pleaded guilty to kidnapping, aggravated burglary, robbery and felonious assault with firearm and repeat violent-offender specifications.

She also had pleaded guilty to being a felon with a gun.

When the 77-year-old female victim opened her South Side apartment door in response to Johnson’s knock Sept. 14, 2007, Johnson rushed in holding a handgun, tied the victim to a chair, gagged her, threatened to shoot her in the head if she screamed, and stole $200, said Martin P. Desmond, assistant county prosecutor.

Johnson, who was an acquaintance of the victim’s, hit the elderly woman on the head with either the gun or a cordless telephone while the victim was still tied up, Desmond added.

The victim eventually freed herself and received medical treatment, but wasn’t admitted to a hospital.

Earlier that day, the victim had voluntarily given Johnson money and food, said Desmond, who recommended the 13-year prison term.

The repeat violent-offender specification refers to Johnson’s 1994 aggravated burglary conviction in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.