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Man gets at least a year for drug trafficking charges
By Joe Gorman
YOUNGSTOWN
Jerry Glenn told a Mahoning County Common Pleas Court judge Tuesday that he wants to stop using and selling drugs so he can take care of his young children.
Judge Anthony D’Apolito told Glenn he wanted to believe him – but three prior drug-trafficking convictions did not give him much hope.
The judge sentenced Glenn, 30, of Wesley Avenue, to 18 months in prison, six months more than a sentence agreed upon by defense attorneys and prosecutors.
But he told Glenn he would consider an early release if Glenn behaved himself in prison.
By sentencing Glenn to the year, Judge D’Apolito could not place him on probation because he would have served his entire sentence.
By sentencing him to 18 months, the judge said he could then place Glenn on probation after he serves about a year in prison and have a way to hold something over him if he reverts back to selling drugs.
Glenn’s lawyer, Ed Hartwig, told the judge Glenn began using drugs at 13 to escape a hellish family life that saw both parents use drugs and his father beat his mother.
Hartwig said his client was selling drugs so he could use them.
Glenn said he wants to get better and stop selling and using drugs. He said before he came to court Wednesday it was very hard dropping his two children off at school.
“I can see in their eyes that I let them down,” Glenn said.
Judge D’Apolito said he wanted to believe Glenn that he was now going to turn his life around, but he said the three previous drug convictions he has caused him some concern.
“It seems to me you’re someone who when they’re given the chance makes money by selling drugs to people.” Judge D’Apolito said.
Judge D’Apolito said his sentence will allow Glenn to have a chance to prove himself while also assuring that if he does not, society will be protected because he will go back to prison to serve the remainder of his sentence.