Man Involved in Standoff With Mentor Police Gets 82-Day Sentence & Community Control

The man involved in a six-hour standoff with Mentor Police last summer was granted an ample amount of leniency Monday.

Lake County Common Pleas Judge Richard Collins sentenced Antonio Iaconianni to an additional 45 days in Lake County Jail and a subsequent two-year community control period. He will receive credit for the 37 days he has already been in jail.

Iaconianni pleaded guilty to one count of attempted carrying of a concealed weapon Monday afternoon. According to Prosecutor Karen Kowall, Iaconianni ran from Mentor Police on Aug. 16, 2012 after officers responded to an argument at Mentor Square Apartments that he wasn't even a part of. It remains unclear why he ran, but police found a loaded .357 magnum on him — after he hid under the front porch of a Mansion Boulevard home hiding for more than six hours.

Prior to receiving his sentence, Iaconianni told the judge that he was ready to change his ways.

"I regret a lot of the decisions that I made," he said. "I know I can't take any of them back, but I'd like to be given a chance to right what wrong I've done and just try to do better and to become better and make better decisions."

Iaconianni and attorney Sergey Kats previously requested an intervention in lieu of conviction due to what Collins admitted was an "extensive history of drug abuse." The court decided Iaconianni did not qualify that request, but opted to work with Katz on a plea deal.

The CCW charge was reduced to a fifth-degree felony attempt charge, and previous charges of inducing panic, aggravated menacing and obstructing official business were also dropped. Collins could have sentenced him to a maximum of a year and $2,500 in fines.

Collins indicated that he was lenient on the defendant because of a largely clean record and for a belief that he needed help with drug and mental troubles more than he needed jail time. After completing his jail time, Iaconianni must undergo a mental health evaluation, attend three 12-step meetings per week and say away from drugs and alcohol.

He could be sent jail or placed under community control for five years if he breaks these terms, Collins said.