Judge says prison sentence may help man convicted of 2 separate drug crimes

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — A city man was sentenced in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday to two years in prison after pleading to two separate drug crimes, one of which involved a gun.

Judge Anthony D’Apolito told Jonathan Streb, 20, that it might seem strange that a prison sentence could be a good thing, but the judge added that a prison term might help Streb turn his life around and stay out of trouble in the future.

“Believe it or not, this may be the best thing that happened to you,” Judge D’Apolito said.

“That’s what I think,” Streb replied.

For a June 13, 2023, arrest , by Youngstown police following a traffic stop, Streb pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of a fentanyl-related compound, a third-degree felony; a one-year firearm specification; and criminal trespass, a fourth-degree misdemeanor.

In that case, reports said Streb was a passenger in a car that drove away from a traffic stop and did not stop until it came to a drive in the 900 block of Lansdowne Boulevard. Police found a gun hidden under a rock in the area and fentanyl in the car. Streb admitted that the gun and the drugs belonged to him.

While on bond in that case, Streb was arrested about a month later after he was a passenger in a car that police pulled over that was suspected of being involved in an earlier case. Drugs and a gun were found in that car.

In that case, Streb pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony; and fifth-degree felonies of possession of cocaine and possession of a fentanyl-related compound.

Judge D’Apolito told Streb that people who continue getting in trouble like Streb do not have much of a future, so being exposed to prison at a young age should give him an incentive to stay clean.

“Hanging around with guys with fentanyl and guns will get you killed,” Judge D’Apolito said.

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