Cop’s sons sentenced to 4 years in prison

By John W. Goodwin Jr.

The men will be on parole after being released from prison.

YOUNGSTOWN — Two sons of a city police officer shed tears during apologies to their victim before being sentenced to prison for attempted aggravated burglary and carrying a concealed weapon.

Bryandon M. Rutland, 19, and Antwaine H. Rutland, 22, both of Volney Road, appeared Wednesday before Judge Maureen Sweeney in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court for sentencing on the charges.

The brothers agreed to plead to the charges, and prosecutors would allow the judge to determine sentencing with no recommendation from their office.

Judge Sweeney sentenced both men to four years in prison on the attempted aggravated-burglary charge and imposed five years’ parole after the prison time on the charge of carrying a concealed weapon. The brothers also must make restitution of $553 to the victim of the attempted burglary.

The Rutlands attempted to enter a house in the 1600 block of Price Road around 12:30 p.m. Jan. 14, and guns were found in a 1988 Lincoln Town Car registered to their father. The Rutlands are the sons of city Patrolman Chris Rutland, according to a police report.

The 26-year-old victim said she had taken her son upstairs for a nap and was reading when she heard glass break under the window. She thought it was the wind but then heard someone trying to get into the kitchen and called 911.

The victim addressed both Rutlands in a prepared statement read in court. She forgave both men but said the incident is a constant reminder that “no matter what type of person you are, it is naive to believe you can be safe in your own home.”

The woman, who said she had no dealings with the brothers before the attempted break-in, said she is glad her husband and older son were not home, then asked a rhetorical why of the two men. She ultimately said she hoped they are good men who made a mistake.

Attorneys for the Rutland brothers — James Gentile for Antwaine and Ron Yarwood for Bryandon — seized upon the victim’s comment, saying that is a perfect description of their clients — good young men who made an error.

Before sentencing, both attorneys said prison time would not make the situation any better for their clients. Yarwood said Bryandon had completed his General Educational Development coursework and was determined to change his life.

Antwaine and Bryandon Rutland both addressed the court and through tear-filled eyes apologized to the victim and her family. They said the situation has brought shame and scrutiny to them and their family.

Antwaine Rutland told the court he should have been a better older brother and not allowed his brother to get into such trouble.

He said he could not imagine the mother of his 2-year-old child facing the same fear as the victim and her child during the attempted break-in.

Bryandon Rutland said he has a child coming and wants to be present at the birth in August. He told the court the situation has made him determined to change his life.

jgoodwin@vindy.com