Youngstown man gets two years in prison after pleading guilty to weapons-related charges

A man pleaded guilty on several weapon-related charges and received a 2-year prison sentence.

Melvin D. Johnson Jr., 32, of Park heights Avenue, Youngstown pleaded guilty to five counts, including having weapons while under disability, tampering with evidence two counts receiving stolen property and carrying concealed weapon.

Johnson, who was on parole after being sentenced in a 2022 Mahoning County case for felonious assault, was given a 24-month prison sentence.

The latest criminal case involved an investigation by Liberty police on March 24, 2024, into suspicious vehicles. When officers arrived on scene, Johnson and others fled and a firearm was discovered to be thrown into the bushes during the chase.

The weapon, a RugerACP, was traced to Johnson, who was not allowed to handle firearms because of his previous convictions. As part of the plea deal, arrangements, seven other charges were nolled by the prosecution.

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