Man sentenced to prison for strangling woman in Sebring

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — A Sebring man was sentenced Wednesday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to nine months in prison following guilty pleas to charges he strangled a woman last July during an argument.

Anthony Thomas, 25, received the sentence from Judge Anthony D’Apolito on charges of strangulation, a third-degree felony, and domestic violence, a first-degree misdemeanor.

Thomas, who was free on bond pending sentencing, was charged after a July 18 fight with a woman at a home in Sebring where the victim told police she was choked so hard by Thomas she passed out.

Assistant Prosecutor Kevin Day said Thomas also admitted to strangling her, which was caught on video.

The sentence was recommended by Day and defense attorney Tony Meranto.

Thomas apologized and said he hoped to learn from his actions. He also said he was on drugs at the time of the fight and he strangled the woman after she lunged for him. He added, however, that was not an excuse.

Judge D’Apolito said he “grudgingly” accepted the sentencing agreement in the plea bargain because he was afraid if the case went to trial, the victim would not show up and the case would have to be thrown out. However, he told Thomas that his conduct was “cowardly” and “reprehensible.”

“This the lesser of two evils.” the judge said. “You don’t ever, ever, put your hands on a woman.”

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