Judge delays sentencing in drug case after defendant picks up new drug charge

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — Sentencing was delayed Thursday for a man expected to be sentenced to prison on a drug charge because of a new charge he picked up in Struthers.

Jose Valentin, 28, was expected to be sentenced by Judge Anthony D’Apolito to six to eight and a half years in prison after pleading guilty in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to a first-degree felony count of possession of fentanyl.

Free on bail while awaiting sentencing, Valentin was arrested Aug. 5 by Struthers police on a second-degree felony count of possession of fentanyl. Details of the arrest are not available.

Judge D’Apolito said he was not comfortable going ahead with the sentencing in the case until the other case could be resolved or moved over to common pleas court.

Valentin was arrested May 17, 2023, by Boardman police while serving a warrant at an apartment connected to him in the 100 block of Shields Road during a drug investigation.

Reports said Valentin was in a bedroom when officers went inside and slammed the door shut. He came out a short time later without incident.

Reports said police found 3,700 pills and a .40-caliber semiautomatic handgun while serving the warrant.

Assistant Prosecutor Steve Maszczak did make a motion to revoke Valentin’s bond, which the judge did.

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