Ex-funeral director McDermott could hear from victims at June 11 sentencing

WARREN

The victims of the thefts committed by former Niles funeral director Robert P. McDermott Sr. will have the chance to speak to the judge about them at McDermott’s sentencing hearing June 11.

McDermott, 52, of Lincoln Avenue in Niles, pleaded guilty Thursday to 10 charges for stealing more than $250,000 from about 50 customers who prepaid for funeral arrangements through his former business, Robert P. McDermott Funeral Home on Warren Avenue in Niles.

Trumbull County prosecutors will recommend a prison sentence of three years, but Judge Ronald Rice of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court isn’t bound by the recommendation.

McDermott’s convictions include theft from an elderly person, theft, tampering with records, forgery and violations of preneed funeral contracts.

He was indicted on 19 charges that could have landed him in prison for more than 50 years.

Prosecutors say McDermott was charged for failing to put money for preneed funeral arrangements into a trust account or insurance policy as intended.

Prosecutors say they don’t know what McDermott did with the money, but they will ask Judge Rice to order McDermott to pay restitution.