Hubbard man gets 24-month prison term

Sold drugs to informant in Liberty Walmart parking lot

WARREN -- A Hubbard man was given a 24-month prison sentence for his part in drug deals in the parking lot of the Walmart in Liberty.

Austin Mott, 24, of 45 Fifth Ave., Hubbard, appeared with his atttorney Brian J. Tareshawty to plead guilty to four counts, including three counts of trafficking in a fentanyl-related compound and another count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

As part of the plea deal, Mott forfeited more than $9,200 in cash, a Highpoint .380-caliber firearm and a Chevrolet Trailblazer.

The case was investigated by the Mahoning Valley drug task force last fall.

The investigation began in late September 2020, prosecutors said, and included two drug buys involving a confidential informant at the Walmart off Goldie Road in Liberty; and another Oct. 15, 2020, drug buy at a Fast Trac convenience store off Loganway in Liberty.

The drug deals, which included the exchange of more than $1,700 in cash, involved about 60 tablets that later tested to be fentanyl and Tramadol, prosecutors said.

Task force units on Oct. 21, 2020, then obtained a search warrant of Mott's home where they found more drugs, various drug paraphernalia and the firearm.

Mott was indicted on seven counts, but three fifth-degree counts of trafficking in drugs were dismissed as part of the plea deal.

The defendant also waived a presentence background check and went straight to sentencing by Common Pleas Judge W. Wyatt McKay. Mott declined to speak before sentencing.