Joseph Johnson, who just turned 18 less than three weeks ago, pleaded guilty last month to a single charge of aggravated robbery with a firearm.
An Akron teenager, who was involved in a robbery at a gas station and ended up shooting and causing severe injuries to an employee, has been sentenced to a minimum of nine years in prison for the offenses committed.
Joseph Johnson, who just turned 18 less than three weeks ago, pleaded guilty last month to a single charge of aggravated robbery with a firearm on the day his trial was supposed to begin. Summit County Common Pleas Judge Thomas A. Teodosio handed down Johnson’s punishment on Thursday, going with the nine-year minimum prison term even though prosecutors had asked for at least 13 years.
Johnson was just 17 on Jan. 25 when he stole a tip jar from the counter of the Gas & Save on West Exchange Street. The 25-year-old store worker chased Johnson for several blocks before being shot multiple times, and Johnson fled before eventually being arrested on Feb. 6.
According to prosecutors, the victim continues to suffer from “significant long-term complications” as a result of the shooting, most notably the amputation of his lower left leg. Though Johnson was a juvenile at the time of the shooting, his case was moved to adult court since he used a gun while over the age of 16.
“The impact of this crime is no less due to it being committed by a juvenile,” Summit Counct Prosecutor Elliot Kolkovich said in a statement following sentencing. “Our thoughts are with the victim, knowing that our community is safer without this offender on the streets and his prison term serves as a reminder that violence has consequences.”
3News’ Dave DeNatale contributed to this report.
