Trio sentenced in Struthers branding case

YOUNGSTOWN — Three people were sentenced in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court today for their role in branding a Struthers teen last August.

Laurie Lyden, 47, was sentenced to one year of probation and a 30-day jail sentence that was suspended on a charge of child endangering and contributing to the delinquency of a minor; Brian Pryjma, 39, was sentenced to nine months in the Mahoning County jail on charges of child endangering, aggravated assault and contributing to the delinquency of a minor; and Ronald Bier, 36, was also sentenced to six months in the jail on the same charges as Pryjma.

They are accused of branding a teen with a heated snuff can and martial arts darts last August at a home in Struthers and then giving him drugs.

The victim suffered third degree burns and also received a blood infection that could have led to death if left untreated.

A fourth person was sentenced to three years