Austintown man pleads guilty to cocaine possession
YOUNGSTOWN — Colby L. Jacobs, 32, of West Hampton Drive in Austintown, pleaded guilty Monday to a first-degree felony cocaine possession offense with a gun specification after an investigation involving his home, and he could get more than 11 years in prison when he is sentenced at 9 a.m. Jan. 7.
Mahoning County prosecutors will recommend that Jacobs get 4 to 5.5 years in prison, said Patrick Fening, assistant county prosecutor.
The investigation involved the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Jacobs’ indictment alleged that he possessed more than 100 grams of the drug on or about April 4, 2022.
One hundred grams is a little less than a quarter of a pound.
That led to a charge of Jacobs being indicted on a major drug offender specification.
But as part of Jacobs’ plea agreement, the major drug offender specification was dismissed.
He is, however, ordered to forfeit $22,150 in currency seized as part of the investigation. And Jacobs forfeits various electronics, a money counter and jewelry seized as part of the investigation, according to court documents. A misdemeanor drug paraphernalia charge also was dismissed as part of Jacobs’ plea.
Jacobs avoided a trial that was set for Monday by taking the plea offer.