Fourth arrest in Warren torture case

WARREN – A fourth person has been arrested in connection with the weekend torture of a 25-year-old Leavittsburg man.

Brandon Finney, 20, of North Mecca Street, Cortland, appeared today before municipal Judge Thomas Gysegem, who set his bond at $250,000 and scheduled a preliminary hearing for Monday.

Finney was taken into custody Wednesday night by members of the U.S. Marshal’s Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force outside a business near the state Route 88 causeway in Mecca.

He is charged with the kidnapping and beating of Shane DeSmith of Riverview Drive. DeSmith said the beating and burning he suffered was over a $50 debt for marijuana.

During the continuous attack, one of the men was referred to by the others as “Finney.”

Arrested earlier on similar charges are Stephen H. DeSantis, 47, and his son, Michael A. DeSantis, 22, both of 928 South St., where the attack took place. The are being held in the county jail.

A juvenile boy is in the Trumbull County Juvenile Justice Center for is supposed participation.