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Man gets 18 months for pawning stolen items
By Joe Gorman
YOUNGSTOWN
The people who tried to help Matthew Stouffer should not blame themselves for the crimes to which he pleaded guilty, Judge Lou A. D’Apolito said.
The judge sentenced Stouffer, 30, on Friday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to 18 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to two felony charges of receiving stolen property.
Judge D’Apolito, however, just before the sentencing, said he did not want those people to change their ways of trying to help others in the future. He said that would be the true crime if they did.
“You didn’t do anything wrong,” Judge D’Apolito said. “You tried to do what you’re supposed to do. I hope you don’t change your optimistic outlook on life.”
Stouffer was accused of pawning stolen jewelry and other items from residents at a Boardman apartment complex where he worked as a maintenance man. The manager of the complex said he decided to give Stouffer a job despite two past stints in prison for similar offenses because he had just completed a drug-rehabilitation program, and his Christian faith told him he needed to give people a chance to get back on their feet.
The manager said his faith still was not shaken, but he thinks Stouffer needs to be locked away for awhile and undergo drug rehabilitation in prison.
“I forgive him, but I will never forget what he has done,” the manager said.
Assistant Prosecutor Shawn Burns said Stouffer admitted pawning stolen items that were given to him by another person. He never admitted stealing them, however, which is why he was indicted in May on charges of receiving stolen property.
Prosecutors are asking for restitution of more than $8,000 for six victims, Burns said. Stouffer was pawning the items to get money to buy drugs, Burns added.
One woman said some of the things Stouffer pawned were rings given to her by her late husband, to whom she was married for 45 years. The woman said she felt betrayed by Stouffer, who would frequently go out of his way to help her or see if she needed him to run errands for her.
“I just feel so very violated about what he did because we all trusted him,” the woman said.
Stouffer’s lawyer, Lou DeFabio, said his client had tried to help police and admitted pawning the items. He asked for probation or a minimal sentence.
“I should’ve known better,” Stouffer said, adding he was sorry for his actions.
Judge D’Apolito said he was not convinced Stouffer was sorry. “You never gave them back one dime. That tells me your only interest is you,” Judge D’Apolito said.