SMETHPORT — A Bradford man who assisted in the Oct. 8 robbery of the Bradford Coin Shop will serve a state prison term.
Michael J. Kelly, 31, was one of two men charged in the incident. He pleaded guilty Dec. 8 to charges of robbery, simple assault and theft by unlawful taking.
Kelly was sentenced Thursday in McKean County Court to 22 months to four years in state prison with credit for 81 days of time served and two years of probation. He is also responsible for $1,881.50 in restitution for medical expenses and the value of stolen coins.
When he pleaded guilty, Kelly agreed that on Oct. 8, he committed robbery and took $250 worth of items from the victim — Bradford Coin Shop owner Gene Seagren — and he was an accomplice to assaulting the victim.
On Thursday, Kelly’s attorney, Philip Clabaugh, clarified that it was determined through interviews that Kelly himself did not physically assault Seagren, though he did take part in the robbery.
When President Judge John Pavlock asked if he wanted to make a statement, Kelly quietly said, “No, sir.” Clabaugh provided an apology letter that Kelly wrote to the victim.
Before giving the sentence, Pavlock told Kelly his conclusion was “that this was extremely traumatic to a businessman trying to make a living.” He said the robbery was “very harmful,” explaining that the harm was not just in the items that were stolen, but also the emotional impact such a crime would have on the victim. Pavlock had been unsure the sentence in the plea would be strong enough, but the prosecution eased one of his concerns by saying the victim was happy with the agreement.
Regarding Kelly’s apology letter, Pavlock said, “I do appreciate that he did that already.”
Also accused in the incident is Ozzy M. Strait, 18, of Bradford, who has not been convicted of any charges related to the incident. Strait is being held in McKean County Jail on $115,000 bail, and a last day to plea conference is scheduled for Jan. 5, 2017.