Man pleads guilty in Oakhill break in
Staff report
YOUNGSTOWN
A man was sentenced to four years in prison Tuesday for a break-in at the Mahoning County owned Oakhill Renaissance Place in May.
Jonathan Peek, 35, of Fifth Street in Struthers, entered guilty pleas to charges of burglary, theft and vandalism and was sentenced immediately after his pleas by Judge James Evans of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.
Assistant Prosecutor Jennifer McClaughlin told Evans that the county sheriff’s office had agreed not to press further charges of vandalism against Peek for seven sprinkler heads he is said to have damaged while he has been held at the county jail if he is shipped off to prison right away.
Peek’s attorney, Ronald Knickerbocker, said that Peek had not been on his medication until recently, and that affected his client’s behavior.
McClaughlin said she was recommending jail time because of Peek’s extensive criminal record, including past arrests for aggravated robbery, criminal trespass, breaking and entering and drug paraphernalia.
The county is seeking restitution of $1,100 for a broken window, McClaughlin said.
Peek apologized to the court and to the county.
Evans told Peek that he looked at his criminal record and that he needs to decide if he wants to spend the rest of his life in and out of prison.
McClaughlin said a computer was taken in the break-in but it was returned a short time later.