Youngstown man enters guilty plea for role in Galaxy Seafood shooting

YOUNGSTOWN — One of two men charged in connection with a deadly police shooting at a North Side restaurant will likely spend six years in prison — if he testifies against his co-defendant later this month.

James Thomas, 50, of Belmont Avenue, had been charged with aggravated robbery with a gun specification for his role in the April 2011 attempted robbery at Galaxy Seafood on Belmont Avenue. He appeared today before Judge James C. Evans of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court and entered into a guilty plea agreement on the charges.

Thomas, who is represented by Atty. Thomas E. Zena, could be sentenced to 13 years in prison on the felony charge.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, prosecutors will recommend Thomas spend three years in prison on the robbery charge and an additional three years in prison for the gun charge. Judge Evans does not have to accept the recommended sentence, however.

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