M
09-06-2003, 05:31 AM
Teen cuts plea deal in cocaine charge
New Brighton youth likely to be sentenced to one day in jail and five years'
probation
August 09, 2003
By FRANK DONNELLY
ADVANCE STAFF WRITER
http://www.silive.com/news/advance/index.ssf?/base/news/1060435004139411.xml
Anthony Cooper smiled and blew a kiss at a toddler when he entered a St.
George courtroom yesterday, and waved to her as he left.
And while the New Brighton teenager isn't out of the woods yet, a plea deal
he cut yesterday on drug charges will soon spring him from jail.
Cooper, 17, pleaded guilty in state Supreme Court to fourth-degree criminal
possession of a controlled substance. The youth was busted Oct. 2 with more
than 500 milligrams of cocaine on the corner of Heberton Avenue and Bennett
Street, Port Richmond, court records said. Cooper intended to sell the
drugs, according to his indictment.
Under the deal, the defendant will be sentenced to one day in jail and five
years' probation when he returns to court Aug. 18.
Justice Stephen Rooney said he would consider sentencing Cooper as a
youthful offender. If he does, the conviction will not go on the defendant's
record and his court file will be sealed.
Thin and with close-cropped hair, Cooper made no comment other than to
respond, "Yes, sir" or "No, sir," to the judge's inquiries.
Afterward, Rooney remanded Cooper to jail because of pending Criminal Court
matters. But with time served, the defendant can be released once those
issues are cleared and he is sentenced in Supreme Court.
Cooper had faced a maximum of eight and one-third to 25 years if convicted
at trial of third-degree narcotics possession, the top charge against him,
and sentenced as an adult. He would have received no more than four years if
convicted and sentenced as a youthful offender.
Mark Geisser represents Cooper. Assistant District Attorney Michael
Formichelli is prosecuting the case.
New Brighton youth likely to be sentenced to one day in jail and five years'
probation
August 09, 2003
By FRANK DONNELLY
ADVANCE STAFF WRITER
http://www.silive.com/news/advance/index.ssf?/base/news/1060435004139411.xml
Anthony Cooper smiled and blew a kiss at a toddler when he entered a St.
George courtroom yesterday, and waved to her as he left.
And while the New Brighton teenager isn't out of the woods yet, a plea deal
he cut yesterday on drug charges will soon spring him from jail.
Cooper, 17, pleaded guilty in state Supreme Court to fourth-degree criminal
possession of a controlled substance. The youth was busted Oct. 2 with more
than 500 milligrams of cocaine on the corner of Heberton Avenue and Bennett
Street, Port Richmond, court records said. Cooper intended to sell the
drugs, according to his indictment.
Under the deal, the defendant will be sentenced to one day in jail and five
years' probation when he returns to court Aug. 18.
Justice Stephen Rooney said he would consider sentencing Cooper as a
youthful offender. If he does, the conviction will not go on the defendant's
record and his court file will be sealed.
Thin and with close-cropped hair, Cooper made no comment other than to
respond, "Yes, sir" or "No, sir," to the judge's inquiries.
Afterward, Rooney remanded Cooper to jail because of pending Criminal Court
matters. But with time served, the defendant can be released once those
issues are cleared and he is sentenced in Supreme Court.
Cooper had faced a maximum of eight and one-third to 25 years if convicted
at trial of third-degree narcotics possession, the top charge against him,
and sentenced as an adult. He would have received no more than four years if
convicted and sentenced as a youthful offender.
Mark Geisser represents Cooper. Assistant District Attorney Michael
Formichelli is prosecuting the case.
