OSHP trooper pleads guilty to amended charge in July 8 arrest

AAUSTINTOWN — Jason Fantone, the Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper originally charged with operating a vehicle impaired, pleaded guilty today to an amended charge of having physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Judge David D’Apolito of Mahoning County Area Court here sentenced Fantone to serve 30 days in the county jail, but suspended 27 of them.

In lieu of jail time, Fantone will have to pay $650 in court costs and will be on nonreporting probation for six months. Fantone’s driver’s license is also suspended for six months, but he is allowed to drive to work, medical appointments and school. Fantone will also have to attend a drug-and-alcohol treatment program.

The charge was reduced to a first-degree misdemeanor because Fantone never displayed any erratic driving after his arrest on July 8, according to court records.

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