Austintown man faces sex charges

Austintown man faces sex charges

CLEVELAND

A federal grand jury indicted a 29-year-old Austintown man on charges of sexual exploitation of a minor, transferring obscenity to a minor and transporting a minor across a state line between May 1 and July 26, 2014, with intent to engage in sexual activity with her, the U.S. attorney said.

An FBI affidavit said Stephen Fleischer met a 14-year-old girl through social media, picked her up in New Castle, Pa., and transported her to Youngstown and Austintown locations, where he engaged in sexual activity with her.

The affidavit also said Fleischer told authorities he sent nude photos to the girl and asked for nude pictures from the girl, who refused.

The case was investigated by the FBI’s Youngstown office and Austintown police.

Gunfire exchanged

YOUNGSTOWN

Police say the owner of the Hi C Market, 910 High St., exchanged gunfire about 7:55 p.m. Tuesday with two men who tried to rob the South Side store.

According to police reports, two men, at least one of them wearing a mask, came into the store, and one brandished a gun. The owner then grabbed a .38-caliber revolver he had and shot at both men.

One of the men returned fire with a gun of his own but missed before both men ran away.

Officers found two spent .380-caliber shell casings inside the store and bullet holes in the counter, behind the counter and in a dairy case, reports said.

Man indicted

WARREN

A Trumbull County grand jury Wednesday indicted Tedy J. Mendez II, 24, of Laird Avenue in Warren and Western Place in Austintown on charges of felonious assault and endangering children related to the injuries suffered by his 4-year-old daughter early last month.

If convicted, Mendez could get nearly 20 years in prison.

Police arrested Mendez after his daughter was examined at ValleyCare Trumbull Memorial Hospital and found to have various injuries, including bruises to both sides of her face, arms and elbows and her entire back side.

Bridge closed

GIRARD

Effective immediately, the Glendale Avenue bridge over Squaw Creek will be closed indefinitely, due to rapidly increasing structural deterioration, officials said.

Parking ban issued

New Middletown

A parking snow ban has been issued by the mayor on all village streets until further notice to allow snow plow operators full access to village roadways to clear them.

Violators will be contacted by the police department. If vehicles are not moved, they will be towed at the owners’ expense.

Woman charged in theft from employer

BOARDMAN

A Youngstown woman faces a felony theft charge after her employer said she stole more than $4,000 from the company.

Police arrested Jentell Reid, 26, of McBride Street, on Tuesday at Target, 417 Boardman-Poland Road, where she worked.

A loss-prevention employee for the store told police Reid took a total of $4,342 from the store’s registers over a period of time. The store recovered $215 of what it lost.

Reid was taken to the Mahoning County jail pending an appearance in Mahoning County Area Court today.

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