Man with violent history pleads guilty again | News, Sports, Work

YOUNGSTOWN — Raynell J., 51, Jones, of Four Mile Run Road in Austintown, pleaded guilty to felony domestic violence and felony endangerment or battery charges Monday in connection with the Sept. 14 incident in Austintown.

The Mahoning County District Attorney’s Office will recommend that Jones receive three years in prison when he is sentenced at 1 p.m. on Feb. 6, said Daniel Jozwiak, assistant county attorney. Jones’ attorney, Nick Brevetta, may ask for less.

The indictment against Jones states that Jones attempted to cause bodily harm to a family or household member, a third-degree felony punishable by up to three years in prison.

The misdemeanor charge states he caused or created a substantial risk of physical harm to a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu owned by a woman without her consent.

The charge was upgraded because Jones had previous convictions for domestic violence in 1995 in Cleveland and in 1995 and 2009 in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.

One count of felonious assault and one count of felonious assault were dropped in exchange for Jones’ guilty plea. This offense was alleged to have attempted to injure one or more people with a knife.

Jones has been in the Mahoning County Jail since Sept. 15, according to jail records.

Mahoning County Common Pleas Judge John Durkin said Jones could face up to three years in prison, but he could also receive probation.

Brevetta noted that he would like Jones to be tested for alcohol because Jones believes “his addictions, specifically alcohol, led” to this incident.

In addition to ordering an investigation into Jones’ background and criminal record, the judge said Jones must be screened for substance abuse.