Sims sentenced to prison for shooting Austintown cop

Sims sentenced to prison for shooting Austintown cop

YOUNGSTOWN — The man who pleaded guilty to shooting an Austintown police officer on May 8, 2007, in the Mahoning Avenue Kmart parking lot has been sentenced to seven years in prison.

Judge Maureen A. Sweeney of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court imposed the sentence today on Carlton Sims, 23, of Glenbrook Road, Boardman, who pleaded guilty last week to an attempted aggravated murder charge with a firearm specification.

Officer Joe Wojciak, 54, who was shot at point-blank range in the collarbone area, was saved from serious injury or death by his bulletproof vest. Police believe Sims’ motive was robbery.

For the complete story, see Friday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.