Boardman man pleads guilty to drug charges

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — Attorneys are recommending a sentence of 6 to 8 and a half years in prison for a Boardman man who pleaded guilty Tuesday to drug charges in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

Jose Valentin, 28, entered a guilty plea to a single count of possession of fentanyl, a first-degree felony, before Judge Anthony D’Apolito.

Sentencing has not been set yet. Valentin will remain free on bond pending his sentencing.

Valentin was arrested May 17 by Boardman police while serving a warrant at an apartment connected to him in the 100 block of Shields Road investigating drug activity.

Reports said Valentin was in a bedroom when officers went inside and slammed the door shut but came out a short time later without incident.

Reports said police found the following items while serving their warrant:

• 12 plastic bags containing blue pills with the imprint M30, totaling approximately 3,700 pills
• A .40-caliber Glock 23 with a loaded extended magazine, determined by its serial number to be stolen during a New Castle burglary
• $675 in cash
• Two loaded magazines with a box of .40 caliber ammunition

As part of his plea agreement, Valentin is pleading guilty to a firearm specification and he will be forfeiting the gun and cash that was found.

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