Warren man sentenced for theft and trespassing

WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) – A Warren man will next spend more than a decade behind bars a jury convicted him on charges of aggravated robbery, assault and trespassing earlier this month.

Craig Ison Jr. was sentenced Tuesday to 15 to 20 years in prison. He will also have to register as a violent offender.

The charges against Ison stem from two incidents in Warren, including the July 11 robbery of a 72-year-old woman.

“I felt helpless and very scared when Craig Ison followed me into the building,” the woman told the court.

Mary Hauger is the victim of Ison’s violent July attack. Her injuries included a few fractures to her spine, muscle sprains and a large gash on her head.

“I’m very grateful to God that I wasn’t injured in a worse way,” Hauger said. “The physical wounds are healing, but I still deal with the emotional state sometimes.”

Earlier this month, Ison was found guilty of aggravated robbery and assault in connection with her attack — plus a trespassing charge stemming from an April incident in which a mother and grandmother reported forcing him out of their home while the children were inside. were playing.

“He sought out the weakest individuals we have in our society,” said prosecutor Michael Burnett.

Burnett asked for a long prison sentence, describing the random nature of his attacks as frightening.

“We must aggressively prosecute these types of people who commit extreme acts of violence. Not only to punish these offenders, but to send a message to others that those who victimize the citizens of Trumbull County will receive swift and severe justice,” he said. “This case lasted 60 days from the time of arraignment to sentencing. It is a case study in how to expedite these things.”

Hauger explained how she felt during the attack.

“I felt helpless and very scared when Craig Ison followed me into the building, grabbed me and threw me against the wall,” Hauger said. “I begged him to stop hitting me and I would give him money.”

Before Ison learned of his fate, he apologized briefly in two words.

“I’m sorry,” he said.

Defense attorney Aaron Meikle said Ison did not intend to go this far.

“Mr. Ison believed that the victim in this case was a lady who owed him money. I don’t think it was ever intended to go this far. It got out of hand very quickly,” said Meikle.

Judge Ronald Rice said Ison was clearly mistaken.

“Even if you were right, that doesn’t give you the right to physically attack her and injure her like you did to get her money. Do you understand that?” asked Rice.

Ison showed no emotion during the hearing. He responded with “Yes sir.”

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