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Youngstown burglar tells judge he stole to support 11 siblings
YOUNGSTOWN
A 19-year-old city man told the court he stole to support his 11 siblings before the judge handed down a four-year prison term on three acts of burglary.
Freeman Bankston V, of West Ravenwood Avenue, appeared Wednesday before Judge John Durkin of Mahoning County Common pleas Court for sentencing on three felony burglary charges.
He had previously pleaded guilty to the charges.
Bankston already is serving a three-year federal prison sentence for illegal possession of a firearm.
Bankston could have been sentenced to as much as a combined 24 years in prison on the three felony-burglary charges.
Bankston is accused of stealing items valued at more than $8,000 from several Boardman homes on Terrace, Homestead and Beechwood drives in May and June.
A grand jury also indicted Bankston on July 14 on the third burglary charge for which he was sentenced Wednesday.
Megan Brundege, an assistant county prosecutor, told the court the prosecutor’s office would recommend a concurrent four-year sentence on all three burglaries. That recommended sentence would also run concurrent with the three-year federal penalty.
Atty. Rhys Cartwright-Jones, representing Bankston, told the court his client is genuinely remorseful for his actions and the trauma to owners of the homes he burglarized.
Cartwright-Jones said there is no excuse for committing the felony burglaries, but he told Judge Durkin that Bankston was trying to help support his 11 siblings when he committed the crimes.
“I want to apologize to the court and the victims for what I have done. I know it was wrong. It was to support my siblings, and it won’t happen again,” Bankston said.
Judge Durkin accepted the prosecutor’s recommendation and handed down the four-year concurrent sentence. He also ordered Bankston to make $10,700 in restitution to his victims.
Bankston must also serve three years’ probation upon his release from prison. He will be given credit for 186 days spent in the jail.