Man sentenced in theft case

The defendant received a one-year sentence for theft.

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — A man charged in his accomplice’s death in a home invasion — while he was free on bond awaiting sentencing in an earlier theft case — won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.

On Thursday, Judge John M. Durkin of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court sentenced Michael J. Mims, 21, of Crandall Avenue, to a year in prison on the theft charge.

Mims and his accomplice in the theft case, Michael N. Childs, 23, of Maywood Drive, were initially charged with aggravated robbery with a firearm specification in a March 16, 2008, occurrence in which a purse containing cash was taken from a woman at a Hubbard Road residence. However, both pleaded guilty to the reduced theft charge.

The prosecution dropped the firearm specification against both defendants.

On Thursday, Judge Durkin sentenced Childs to 18 months’ probation.

Mims and Daniel A. Lopez, 18, of Himrod Avenue, were charged with murder, aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary with firearm specifications in a Nov. 29 home invasion at a Clinton Street residence. Mims and Lopez await trial on these charges.

Mims and Lopez were indicted in the death of their reputed accomplice, Preston Williams, 17, of Youngstown, who was killed after several shots were fired inside the home during the 12:30 a.m. invasion.

One victim inside the home said he tried to wrest a 9 mm gun away from Williams, causing it to fire.

A second victim said he retrieved his own .38-caliber revolver after seeing the struggle between Williams and the first victim. Four rounds were fired from that gun.

Mims’ lawyer, Lynn Maro, told Judge Durkin on Thursday that her client did not have or discharge a gun in the Nov. 29 home invasion and did not kill anyone.

The aggravated-robbery charge in the March 16 incident, which was reduced to a theft, stemmed from “a drug deal gone bad,’’ and the victims did not cooperate with the prosecution, Maro said.

Judge Durkin revoked Mims’ bond in the earlier theft case after Mims’ arrest in the Nov. 29 home invasion.