Serial thief receives state prison sentence
A Jamestown, NY man is headed to state prison for what amount to his 18th and 19th lifetime theft-related offenses.
James K. Johnson, 52, was sentenced in Warren County court Friday by Judge Gregory Hammond on charges on two dockets including retail theft and receiving stolen property.
“Your actions over three decades indicate you are a career thief,” Hammond said.
Hammond detailed that Johnson has 17 theft-related offenses on his record since he was 19 in 1989 and that he has more currently pending in New York State.
Johnson had written a letter to Hammond saying that this conduct would not happen again but Hammond said that assertion is “belied by your record.”
Assistant District Attorney Casey Strickland noted that there’s no restitution on the retail theft charge as all of the stolen items from Walmart were recovered.
Hammond then sentenced Johnson to 12 to 24 months incarceration with credit for 65 days time served, $740 in restitution, $375 in fees, to undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation and comply with recommendations, a no contact/no trespass order, submission of a DNA sample and eligibility for drug treatment in state prison on a count of receiving stolen property.
He was sentenced to an additional six to 12 months on the retail charge, $125 in fees and an order not to enter Walmart property.
Other sentences handed down Friday morning include the following:
¯ Kenneth A. Armstrong, 32, Forestville, NY, to six months probation including 48 hours incarceration, $1,050 in fines and fees, participation in the alcohol highway safety school and victim impact panel programs, a 12 month license suspension and 15 hours of communities service on a count of DUI as well as $70 on a count of careless driving.
¯ Amanda D. Brown, 45, Warren, to three months to six months incarceration in state prison and $250 in restitution on a count of theft by deception as well as 12 to 24 months incarceration with credit for six days time served, $225 in fees,, to undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation and comply with recommendations, submission of a DNA sample and eligibility for multiple programs in state prison.
¯ Nicholas E. Direnzo, 28, Warren, to five days incarceration to two years less one day with credit for five days time served, $625 in fees, 30 hours of community service, submission of a DNA sample and to undergo a mental health evaluation and comply with recommendations on a count of simple assault.
¯ Ashley R. Durlin, 28, Youngsville, to one year probation, $264.84 in restitution that has been paid, $375 in fees, 10 hours of community service, submission of a DNA sample, participation in the COG program and to not enter Walmart property on a count of retail theft.
¯ Denver McMullen, 19, Warren, to one year probation and 20 hours of community service on a count of theft by unlawful taking; 90 days probation on a count of criminal mischief and one year probation, $440 in restitution, $375 in fees, a no contact/no trespass order, 20 hours of community service and to continue to work towards a high school diploma/GERD on a count of criminal trespass — enter structure.
¯ James M. Mescall, 51, Panama, NY, to 30 days to one year incarceration, $1,217 in restitution, $375 in fees, participation in the alcohol highway safety school and victim impact panel programs, to undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation and comply with recommendations, a no contact/trespass/communication order, a six month license suspension and 30 hours of community service on a count of accident involving damage to attended vehicle/property as well as $245 on a count of driving on a suspended license and $70 on charges of fail to report accident, fail to yield right and abandoning vehicle on public property.
¯ Pamela S. Paxton, 44, Jamestown, NY, to a five year intermediate punishment including 30 days house arrest, $1,425 in fines and fees, participation in the alcohol highway safety school and victim impact panel programs, a 12 month license suspension, compliance with drug and alcohol treatment recommendations and 100 hours of community service on a count of DUI as well as $70 on charges of careless driving and disregard traffic lane and $55 on a seat belt violation.
¯ Autumn S. Sarver, 19, Clarendon, to one year probation, $998.99 in restitution and 20 hours of community service on a count of solicitation to commit simple assault as well as one year probation and 20 hours of community service on a count of theft by unlawful taking; 90 days probation on a count of criminal mischief — damage property and 35 days to two years less one day incarceration with credit for 35 days time served, $375 in fees, 40 hours of community service and submission of a DNA sample on a count of criminal mischief — enter structure.
A bench warrant was issued for the arrest of Robert F. Oberst, 38, Franklinville, NY, for failure to appear. Oberst was to be sentenced on charges of DUI and careless driving.



