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Boardman robbery suspect pleads to lesser charges after deal struck
YOUNGSTOWN
A Boardman man accused of robbing his girlfriend during a fight has entered into a plea agreement that likely will land him in prison.
Gregory Croom, 24, of Applecrest Court, initially was charged with illegal possession of a weapon, robbery and aggravated robbery earlier this year. He was set to go on trial before Judge R. Scott Krichbaum of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court this week, but he entered into the plea agreement.
He pleaded guilty to robbery and illegal possession of a firearm. Prosecutors will recommend to the judge a two-year prison sentence for Croom.
Croom is scheduled to be sentenced by May 6. The judge is not obligated to follow sentencing recommendations from prosecutors.
J. Michael Thompson, an assistant county prosecutor, said Croom and his girlfriend were involved in an argument earlier this year. The pair separated, but Croom followed the woman to a relative’s home.
According to Thompson, Croom rummaged through a diaper bag that was already at the relative’s home and removed a handgun, threatening everyone in the home.
He said Croom then took his girlfriend’s wallet, food-stamp card and the gun with him when he left the home.
Thompson said prosecutors agreed to enter into the plea agreement because the girlfriend recanted statements made to police after Croom’s arrest and likely would not testify to the course of events the state believes took place at the home.