SUNBURY - Three men charged with robbing an elderly Elysburg couple in February pleaded no contest Wednesday morning to felony offenses of criminal trespass and receiving stolen property and will be sentenced at a later date by Northumberland County President Judge Robert B. Sacavage.
Tom Bimbo, 46, of Independence, Ohio; Sonny George, 41, of Medford, Mass., and Ricky Mitchell, 39, of Pottstown, entered no contest pleas to two counts each of criminal trespass and receiving stolen property, which means they are neither admitting nor denying guilt, but believe they could be found guilty of the charges if the case proceeded to trial.
Additional felony offenses of robbery, burglary and theft by unlawful taking will be withdrawn against the three men at the time of sentencing.
The three defendants were charged by Ralpho Township Sgt. Chris Kreisher with two counts each of robbery, burglary, theft, criminal trespass and receiving stolen property in connection with a Feb. 18 robbery at the residence of Amy and Chester Yocum, 137 S. Maple St., Elysburg, and subsequent discovery of stolen cash and jewelry in Bimbo's van when the men were apprehended.
Bimbo, George and Mitchell were charged with stealing approximately $100 from a bedroom dresser while posing as water company employees. When they were taken into custody by Mount Carmel Township police at the intersection of Routes 54 and 61 at Strong a short time after the robbery, police found $6,000 in cash plus jewelry that reportedly had been stolen on Feb. 17 from a home in the Schuylkill Haven area.
Under the no contest plea agreement, which carries the same sentencing guidelines as a guilty plea, the defendants must make full restitution in the case and forfeit their right to a trial.
Sacavage explained all the ramifications involved with their pleas and told the defendants their rights to appeal are very limited.
Bimbo, George and Mitchell said they were entering the no contest pleas under their own free will and were satisfied with their legal representation.
Bimbo and George were represented by Attorney Peter Campana of Williamsport, while Mitchell's attorney was William Ruzzo. Northumberland County Assistant District Attorney William Cole prosecuted the case.
Cole said the maximum sentence for each charge is seven years imprisonment and a $15,000 fine.
Sacavage ordered a pre-sentence investigation before deciding if he will accept or reject the plea. If the judge accepts the plea, the defendants will then be sentenced.
Cole, Campana and Ruzzo reserved comment when asked about the plea agreement. Chester Yocum, who attended the legal proceeding, also declined comment.