Kevin A Strickland Case Analysis

MILLERSBURG — The getaway driver in a 2013 armed robbery, identified through DNA evidence collected from urine left at the scene, was sentenced Thursday to five years in prison for his role in the crime.

Kevin A. Strickland, 24, who currently is incarcerated at the Toledo Correctional Institution, previously pleaded guilty in Holmes County Common Pleas Court to aggravated robbery and theft.

He'd faced up to 12 years in prison, but was sentenced to little more than the mandatory by Judge Robert Rinfret, who said he believes Strickland sincerely regretted his involvement.

In entering his plea, Strickland told Judge Robert Rinfret that he did not initially know of the others' intent to commit a robbery, but knew what had happened when he drove them away. He said he realized such is considered aiding

For his part, Strickland apologized, adding, “I wish there was something I could do to change it.”

Since becoming incarcerated, he said, he's working on his addiction, has enrolled in college classes and is studying to become a dog handler. “I'm trying to make my time worth something,” he said.

Strickland and his cohorts are lucky to be alive, said Rinfret, noting, “We're a county that believes in weapons.”

He focused on the victims, noting that awakened around 3 a.m. to the sound of glass breaking and armed demands for cash, “I can't imagine if this was me … waking up to something like that.”

Although Rinfret imposed a five-year prison sentence, he suspended the last year, placing Strickland, instead, on five years of community control sanctions, during which time he must pay restitution of $2,258. He also ordered Strickland to write a letter of apology to the victims.

He said he was moved by Strickland's apparent sincerity, noting, “Sometimes I don't believe people when they come in here. I believe you. I actually think you are sincere. I hope I'm right. My job is to protect the