Three charged in January robbery waive charges to court
CONNELLSVILLE – Three people charged by police in connection with a January robbery waived the related felony and misdemeanor charges to Fayette County Court Thursday while similar charges against a fourth individual were dismissed. Scott A. Knight, 23, of 108 Trader Ave. and Billie Jo Wilson, 32, of 304 E. Gibson Ave., both of Connellsville, and Jessica Rae Rohm, 22, of 210 Wick Haven Hollow, Wick Haven, were scheduled to appear before Magisterial District Judge Ronald Haggerty, but instead agreed to have the matter heard before a county judge.
The three are charged by police for allegedly robbing Ashley Smartnick of several hundred dollars and drugs during a Jan. 24 incident at Smartnick’s North 9th Street residence.
Police allege that Wilson called Smartnick’s residence and asked that her live-in boyfriend come to her residence, leaving Smartnick alone.
Rohm, according to the criminal complaint filed by police, allegedly drove Knight to the residence where he allegedly grabbed Smartnick by the throat and forced her to the ground and demanded she turn over all her money and threatened to kill her if she did not.
Knight then allegedly struck Smartnick in the mouth with a metal pipe and then left the residence with her purse that contained cash, a check, money orders, gift cards and other items including crack cocaine, said police.
Police said that Knight and Rohm split the contents of the purse and gave Wilson a portion of the crack cocaine. Rohm, allege investigators, later cashed a $35 money order and used a $15 Wal-Mart gift card, belonging to Smartnick, and gave a Fashion Bug gift card to a relative.
The remaining cash was allegedly used to purchase cigarettes and other items at a South Connellsville store by Knight and Rohm, said police.
Knight is charged with robbery, burglary, criminal trespass, simple assault, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and harassment in connection to the matter. He remains free on a $25,000 bond.
Rohm is charged with two felony charges of criminal conspiracy, a single felony charge of criminal conspiracy and single misdemeanor charges of criminal conspiracy and receiving stolen property. She was freed after posting a $5,000 cash bond.
Wilson, meanwhile, is charged with three felony charges of criminal conspiracy and a single misdemeanor count of criminal conspiracy and receiving stolen property. She is free after posting a similar $5,000 cash bond imposed after her arraignment.
Charges of robbery, burglary, receiving stolen property, defiant trespass, simple assault and theft by unlawful taking or disposition filed by police against John Mickey, 21, of 150 N. 8th St., were dismissed.