Guilty plea in arson


March 1, 2013 at 12:00a.m.

Guilty plea in arson

WARREN

John M. Smith, 49, of Idylwild Street Northeast, has been sentenced to two years in prison for setting the house on fire where he lived with his girlfriend and her four children.

Smith pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated arson in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court this week before Judge Peter Kontos.

Police said he set the fire at 3:36 a.m. Aug. 6 after a domestic dispute with his girlfriend. She said Smith tried to hit her in the face. Afterward, Smith threw something on fire through the kitchen window, causing $12,000 in damage to the kitchen and porch.

Manhole covers stolen

liberty

Police charged a Youngstown man with possessing stolen manhole covers Thursday. Police said Jeffrey Shugart, 40, of Rutledge drive, was charged with receiving and retaining disposed property of another. Officers said Shugart tried selling three manhole covers for scrap at Cleveland Auto Wrecking on Youngstown-Hubbard Road, before police were called. Police said Shugart had three manhole covers but police were unsure where they came from.