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Probation for man accused of gang ties
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McClarin
Convicted on drug charge, South Sider denies LSP link
YOUNGSTOWN
A man who authorities said had ties to a local South Side gang has received probation for felony trafficking in marijuana and ordered to stay away from suspected gang members.
Jeremiah McClarin, 25, Wolosyn Circle, had been indicted on a single count of trafficking in marijuana and later pleaded guilty to that charge. He had been associated with the state and federal investigation into the LSP Gang.
LSP stands for LaClede, Sherwood and Parkview avenues, the South Side streets from which the gang ran its suspected criminal enterprise for more than 10 years, according to state and federal authorities.
McClarin, standing Friday before Judge Lou A. D’Apolito of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, emphatically denied any ties to gang life or a criminal enterprise.
McClarin told the judge he has had the same job for more than 18 months and does not associate with gang members.
He added he believes he was labeled a gang member because he was raised in the South Side neighborhood where the gang operates and often would hang out at a corner store in that neighborhood. He was arrested at that same store.
Atty. Mark Lavelle, representing McClarin, told the court his client’s name became associated with the LSP Gang simply because he was the right age, right race, from the right area and involved in similar activity.
He said his client appears in no pictures with gang members, and he has no tattoos or other things associating him with the gang.
Judge D’Apolito said he understands that McClarin had been accused of being a gang member but added there is no proof beyond those allegations.
Judge D’Apolito, citing McClarin’s minimal record, appearance in court and employment status, said there seems to be little chance of recidivism. He sentenced McClarin to two years’ probation with random drug testing. He also ordered McClarin to stay away from gang members.
Jennifer McLaughlin, an assistant county prosecutor, said McClarin told police who stopped him in front of the Glenwood Avenue store that he was “smoking a little [marijuana] and selling a little.” Police did find marijuana on McClarin.
“Mr. McClarin was selling marijuana in the area where the LSP Gang was known to operate. That is how he came on the radar. For our case here, his only crime is trafficking in marijuana,” she said.
McLaughlin recommended probation for McClarin in exchange for his plea to the charges. McClarin has one previous felony conviction for aggravated rioting.
“In looking at the facts of this case as well as Mr. McClarin’s history, we believe community control is the appropriate sentence,” McLaughlin said. “This is the lowest-level felony.”
Police and members of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives had been investigating the LSP Gang for two years.
Federal authorities said the gang had been selling drugs and guns and plotting murder.
There are 31 men facing charges in connection with the gang, 24 of whom are facing federal charges. Some alleged gang members already are in prison on other charges.