Two plead to aggravated riot charges in Struthers

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Two of six people charged in a disturbance in Struthers earlier this year entered guilty pleas in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday, while a warrant was issued for a third person.

Pleading guilty to charges of aggravated riot were Michael A. Koziorynsky, 19, of Fifth Street in Struthers and Johnathan Ward, 18, of Neilson Avenue.

A third person who was scheduled for a court appearance court Wednesday, Dominic Feliciano, 19, of Roy Street in Struthers, did not appear for a pretrial hearing before Judge Maureen Sweeney. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Assistant Prosecutor Michael Yacovone said prosecutors are recommending a sentence of probation. A sentencing date has not been set yet.

Cases are still pending in common pleas court against 18-year-old Michael Hawkins of Creed Street in Struthers and Dominique King, 23, of Hood Drive in Canfield.

A sixth person was charged as a juvenile.

Police said the group was involved in a fight on Fifth Street on May 14. The trouble started earlier in the day when Koziorynsky was in an altercation with a female, and then he and a group of people prearranged to fight.

Police do not know what sparked the initial altercation.

The group came to a local store on Fifth Street to look for Koziorynsky but instead, they ended up in the street. Koziorynsky threw one person through a window, and a report said one person came to the fight with a gun.

Police said officers who responded did not find a gun on any of the participants.