Connellsville vandals plead guilty
Two people accused of vandalizing dozens of Connellsville homes and vehicles in July pleaded guilty to 53 counts each in Fayette County Court on Wednesday.
In exchange for their guilty pleas, 23-year-old Charles Crouse of Connellsville and 22-year-old Illa Blair of Mount Pleasant were each offered sentences of two to four years in prison, and they will be required to make restitution. Police have estimated the cost of the damage to be around $90,000.
Attorney Thomas Shaffer, who represents Crouse, explained to Judge Steve P. Leskinen that he hopes to successfully negotiate with prosecutors a sentence that would include boot camp through the state Department of Corrections, which he said would provide necessary structure for Crouse.
Assistant Public Defender Michael Garofalo agreed that boot camp would be an appropriate option for Blair as well.
Crouse and Blair each face several counts of criminal mischief, possessing an instrument of crime, propulsion of missiles, disorderly conduct, loitering and prowling at nighttime, corruption of minors and reckless endangerment.
Crouse was a former newspaper carrier for the Tribune-Review, and in early July, he had Blair and two juveniles in his vehicle as he drove around Connellsville, along his old route, he told the court.
Blair admitted to being in the passenger seat and helping collect and throw rocks at houses and cars.
Leskinen asked why the two were charged with reckless endangerment, and Assistant District Attorney Bill Martin said there were people occupying some of the homes that were damaged that rocks could have seriously hurt those people.
Blair told the court she is originally from Cleveland and moved to the Fayette County area three years ago after her father was murdered.
She has no prior criminal record.
Crouse also has no prior criminal record.
The two will come before Leskinen for sentencing on Jan. 26 at 10:30 a.m.