Former Canfield DQ owner violates probation, is sent to prison

October 10, 2012 at 12:05a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

Former Canfield Dairy Queen owner Trent Rapp had an opportunity to remain free on probation after multiple felony convictions but now is headed to prison for five years.

Rapp, 44, of Beaver Township, went before Judge Maureen A. Sweeney of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court on Tuesday for sentencing after it had been determined he violated his probation.

Rapp was sentenced May 30 to five years’ probation after pleading no contest in February to charges of marijuana trafficking, cocaine possession, corrupting another with drugs, possessing criminal tools, illegal use of a minor in nudity- oriented material and two counts of pandering sexually oriented material.

He also was ordered to have no contact with the victim in the case and to register as a Tier 1 sex offender.

Rapp violated the terms of his probation by meeting with the teen victim, reportedly to supply the boy with money to purchase drugs. Nicholas Brevetta, an assistant county prosecutor, said Rapp’s actions show his total disregard for the orders of the court.

“He was ordered not to have contact with the victim and he in fact drove to a location to meet with the victim,” said Brevetta. “The defendant has shown his willingness not to obey court orders ... the meeting shows his willingness to circumvent the law.”

Brevetta asked the court to impose some amount of prison time on Rapp, but he was not specific as to any amount of time.

Atty. Samuel Amendolara, representing Rapp, asked the court to consider more-stringent terms of probation over prison time, saying his client has been compliant with all court orders aside from the meeting with the victim.

Rapp was given an opportunity to speak on his own behalf but chose not to offer a statement.

The victim was not present in court, but members of his family attended the hearing. They did not address the court before sentencing.

Judge Sweeney revoked Rapp’s probation and handed down various prison terms on the charges against him totaling five years.