Former state Rep. Bob Young apologizes for his 'bad actions'

Former state Rep. Bob Young apologized Friday for his “bad actions” over the past six months that resulted in him being convicted of domestic violence and three other misdemeanors.

Young said he embarrassed himself, his family and his political colleagues.

“All I can do is go forward and be a better version of myself,” Young said during his sentencing in Barberton Municipal Court.

During a bench trial in October, Young was convicted of domestic violence, a first-degree misdemeanor, for hitting his wife. He accepted a plea deal in November that resolved three other misdemeanor charges for violating a protection order.

Edward O’Farrell, the visiting judge who handled Young’s case, sentenced Young to probation and no jail time Friday, with several conditions, including that Young wear a device that monitors for alcohol consumption. If Young violates the conditions of his probation, O’Farrell said he could face up to two years in jail or additional probation time.

While on bail and awaiting sentencing, city prosecutors say Young tampered with his alcohol monitoring device five times. Prosecutors, though, withdrew a request to revoke Young’s bond so that his sentencing could proceed Friday.

O'Farrell placed Young on supervised probation for one year and unsupervised probation for a second year. If the probation department deems the second year unnecessary, the judge said Young could be released from probation.

About former Rep. Bob Young's case

Young, 42, a Republican from Green, resigned his house seat last year under increasing pressure from his party.

During the October bench trial, O'Farrell found Young not guilty of assault, also a first-degree misdemeanor, for a separate incident involving Young's brother.

Young's wife, 16-year-old daughter and brother testified during the trial. His wife said she didn't call police because she was afraid of what Young would do.

More: Former state Rep. Bob Young's wife says she didn't call 911 'because he scares me'

Young, however, testified that his wife was the one who slapped him, and he called his daughter, who witnessed their fight, a liar.

After the trial, Young still faced two counts of violating a protection order and one count of menacing by stalking for contact he was accused of having with his wife before his case went to trial. All three charges were first-degree misdemeanors.

Young’s attorneys reach agreement with prosecutor

Attorneys John Greven and Mike Callahan reached an agreement with City Prosecutor Jennifer Roberts in November that resolved all of Young’s cases.

The menacing by stalking charge was changed to violating a protection order. Young then pleaded guilty to three counts of violating a protection order.

The attorneys agreed to a sentence of one year of probation and no jail time for all four charges. Young faced up to six months in jail for each of the charges.

At the plea, O’Farrell lifted a temporary protection order that barred Young from seeing his wife, though Young wasn’t permitted to return to his home as a condition of his bail. Young planned to meet with his wife through a representative of their church to work out an agreement on his contact with her and their children.

O’Farrell ordered that the probation department do a pre-sentence investigation of Young and that he complete any mental health or substance abuse screens that were part of this probe.

The fight between Young and his wife followed a GOP fundraiser and party at the couple’s home, during which both were drinking.

City prosecutor expresses concern for Young’s repeated violations

Young’s wife chose not to attend his sentencing Friday and deferred to the court on his sentence, Roberts said.

Roberts said she is concerned by Young’s repeated violations of court orders, first by not complying with the protection order involving his wife and then by tampering with an alcohol monitor. She said she's concerned Young is continuing to drink alcohol because he tampered with the device five times since Nov. 16.

Roberts left the sentencing up to the judge, though she said any further violations by Young will be brought to the court’s attention.

“We do have concerns,” she said. “It appears a minimization of his actions is what led us here today.”

Attorney says Young lost his career and family

Callahan, who stood with his hand on Young’s shoulder, said his client had no prior record.

Callahan said Young accepted responsibility by accepting the plea agreement that resolved all his cases.

Callahan said Young already paid a big price by losing his political career, a portion of his ability to make a living and his family.

“He can’t get back his political career or the rights the court will take away from him,” Callahan said. “The question is whether he can get his family back. He has made strides to do that. The question really remains to be seen.”

Callahan said Young has denied drinking and he would have requested a hearing on the alleged alcohol monitor violations if prosecutors had pursued the issue. He said his client spent a few days in jail after being arrested for violating the protection order and doesn’t want to go back.

Young regrets calling his daughter a ‘liar’ in trial

Young said the past six months were the “darkest season” of his life and the most challenging for him and his wife.

After his arrest, Young said he felt a sense of entitlement and pride that led him to get into more trouble. He said it took him about 40 days to wrap his head around what he had to do.

“It was a lot for me to learn,” he said. “I accept responsibility for what I am responsible for.”

Young said he hasn’t been drinking and has been in counseling.

“I can say I feel better about me than what I was six months ago,” he said.

Young said he and his wife have had good communication lately and had quality time with each other and with their children.

“That’s what’s most important,” he said.

Young questioned whether the alcohol monitoring device was working properly.

Young said he regrets calling his daughter a liar during the trial.

“I guess it was a fair question,” he said. “I answered it poorly. My daughter is not a liar.”

“I didn’t think she was,” O’Farrell said.

“Her perspective is different than mine,” Young said.

Judge imposes probation conditions that include community service

O’Farrell said he thinks probation is the appropriate penalty for Young because of his

O’Farrell said he thinks probation is the appropriate penalty for Young because of his "genuine remorse" and lack of a record.

If Young violates the terms of his probation, O’Farrell said he could face two years in jail and five years of probation.

O’Farrell said the conditions will include Young continuing counseling, consuming no alcohol and going to no bars, and wearing an alcohol monitoring device. If Young is concerned that the device he was given isn’t working properly, O’Farrell said he should talk to the probation department.

O’Farrell also required Young to perform 250 hours of community service.

“I think you can give to this community even more than you have as a state representative or otherwise,” the judge said.

O’Farrell said Young will be required to pay court costs and supervision fees for his probation.

“I wish you and your family the very best,” O’Farrell said.

Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com, 330-996-3705 and on Twitter: @swarsmithabj.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Former state Rep. Bob Young gets probation and no jail time