One of two Buffalo teenagers convicted of robbing another teen of a diamond ring, his wallet and iPhone after the victim announced on Facebook that the ring was for sale was sentenced to six months in jail today, followed by five years’ probation.
Erie County Judge Michael L. D’Amico imposed the split sentence on the teenager, and granted him youthful offender status, sealing his criminal record.
The teen had pleaded guilty in December to first- and second-degree robbery in the April 5 holdup of his former friend at an East Side intersection.
The 17-year-old victim offered the ring for sale on Facebook, and the defendant agreed to buy it for $300, arranging to meet the seller at Sumner Place and Rohe Street, according to Erie County Assistant District Attorney Michael P. Felicetta.
When the victim arrived at the scene, he was talking with the teen and his co-defendant, who also has been granted youthful offender status, as they walked down the street, Felicetta said. Another suspect with a rifle then accosted the victim, who was hit on the head. The suspects fled with the ring, the wallet and iPhone. Good Samaritans from a nearby church helped the victim and called police.
Officers arrested the pair a short distance from the robbery scene. The ring was recovered, but not the wallet or iPhone. The third suspect was never apprehended.
At today’s sentencing, Felicetta told the judge that the victim has headaches and vision problems as a result of his head injuries.
The teen declined to speak at sentencing.
The judge ordered the defendant, a student at Bennett High School, to continue attending school, enroll in a training program or get a job when he is on probation. He also ordered him to avoid contact with the victim.
email: jstaas@buffnews.com
Erie County Judge Michael L. D’Amico imposed the split sentence on the teenager, and granted him youthful offender status, sealing his criminal record.
The teen had pleaded guilty in December to first- and second-degree robbery in the April 5 holdup of his former friend at an East Side intersection.
The 17-year-old victim offered the ring for sale on Facebook, and the defendant agreed to buy it for $300, arranging to meet the seller at Sumner Place and Rohe Street, according to Erie County Assistant District Attorney Michael P. Felicetta.
When the victim arrived at the scene, he was talking with the teen and his co-defendant, who also has been granted youthful offender status, as they walked down the street, Felicetta said. Another suspect with a rifle then accosted the victim, who was hit on the head. The suspects fled with the ring, the wallet and iPhone. Good Samaritans from a nearby church helped the victim and called police.
Officers arrested the pair a short distance from the robbery scene. The ring was recovered, but not the wallet or iPhone. The third suspect was never apprehended.
At today’s sentencing, Felicetta told the judge that the victim has headaches and vision problems as a result of his head injuries.
The teen declined to speak at sentencing.
The judge ordered the defendant, a student at Bennett High School, to continue attending school, enroll in a training program or get a job when he is on probation. He also ordered him to avoid contact with the victim.
email: jstaas@buffnews.com