Staff photo / Ed Runyan Kelly Sexton, 19, of Cortland, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of robbery Tuesday for being one of two people who dropped off a juvenile who robbed the Vapor Kings store on Elm Road with a fake gun July 14.

WARREN — Kelly Sexton, 19, of Niles-Cortland Road NE in Cortland, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of robbery Tuesday for being one of two people who dropped off a juvenile who robbed the Vapor Kings store on Elm Road with a fake gun July 14.

Sexton, who was 18 at the time of the robbery, was facing a first-degree felony aggravated robbery charge in the case, but prosecutors amended the charge to a third-degree robbery in exchange for Sexton’s guilty plea.

Sexton, who has no previous criminal record, could get up to three years in prison when he is sentenced at 1:30 p.m. March 3. But he also could get probation. Trumbull County Common Pleas Court Judge Ronald Rice is presiding over the case.

Trumbull County Assistant Prosecutor Mike Burnett said the “main actor” in the robbery was a juvenile who had a “toy gun.” Burnett said Sexton and co-defendant Alivia Spitzer, 19, of Laird Avenue SE, drove the juvenile to the location of the robbery and picked him up later.

Spitzer also was indicted on the first-degree felony aggravated robbery charge and pleaded guilty earlier to the same robbery offense as Sexton and will be sentenced at the same time as Sexton, according to court records. Spitzer also was 18 at the time of the offense.

According to a Warren police report, on July 14, 2025, a young male wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, tight black sweatpants and a black ski mask entered the store just before noon.

The suspect, who had a pistol tucked in his waistband, demanded age-restricted items, including two jars of hemp flower and a carton of cigarillos. When the store employee asked for identification, the suspect lifted his hooded sweatshirt to show the gun and threatened the employee to not make any moves. The suspect then fled on a motorized scooter toward the Giant Eagle plaza.

A witness told police he was standing close to the suspect during the robbery and could identify him by his bright eyes and pale skin, as well as his “distinctive voice.” Police reviewed security footage from Vapor Kings and Giant Eagle.

During Sexton’s hearing, Rice advised Sexton that, “as a convicted felon, you are going to lose your right to vote, to be a juror. You will not be allowed to own or possess a weapon. Under the Brady Bill, you lose your right to almost any office of trust or honor.”

A presentence investigation of Sexton’s background will be carried out, and a report on the results will be provided to Rice prior to sentencing.

At the end of the hearing, Rice told Sexton, “You better get yourself some new friends because if these are the kind of people you’re going to hang out with, you’re going to end up in prison, just like everybody else.”

He told Sexton he should appreciate that his mother came to court with him. “You should be thankful that your mother shows up for you. Even though you are an adult under the law. You’re lucky you have a parent who cares enough about you to come to court with you.”

He also complimented Sexton on his necktie. “It’s nice to know people know how to show respect for institutions.”