POTTSVILLE — A Mahanoy City teen who was charged as an adult will spend 3 1/2 to 10 years in state prison for an October 2023 robbery in Mahanoy City.
Schuylkill County President Judge Jacqueline Russell imposed the sentence on Jahmeir Amante, 17, Monday for his role in the robbery. He will immediately go to a prison for processing and then to another to serve his sentence, according to court documents. He will receive credit of 203 days for time served.
Amante accepted a plea agreement from the Schuylkill County District Attorney’s office that resulted in a charge of felony robbery, conspiracy, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and a misdemeanor charge of possession of a weapon being nolle processed, according to court documents.
Russell said that Amante is one of the youngest people she’s had in her courtroom on such serious charges. She urged him to take advantage of the education he can get in prison.
“Upon someone reaching their minimum (sentence), they are eligible for parole,” she said.
However, if Amante violates the terms of his parole, he could be returned to prison to serve the remainder of his sentence.
Russell had previously ruled this case would not be transferred to juvenile court. Russell said DNA evidence obtained from a vehicle indicates Amante was one of the people involved in the robbery.
The other person has not been identified. A DNA sample was also taken from Amante during an earlier court proceeding.
Russell asked the teen if he was pleading guilty to robbery and if he understood what was happening in court. Amante asked District Attorney MIchael O’Pake if he was willing to reduce the minimum sentence to less than the 3/12 years, to which he replied to the judge, “Absolutely not, your honor.”
O’Pake cited Amante’s prior juvenile history and the nature of the crimes as among the reasons. O’Pake’s first plea offer was six to 15 years for all of the offenses, which the defense rejected.
Public Defender Kent Watkins spoke to his client often during the approximate 40-minute hearing.
According to earlier testimony, shortly after 2 a.m. on Oct. 25 , 2023, Stephen Cole was waiting to pick up a friend after a party. Cole said he was sitting in his car, a 2018 Hyundai Elantra, with the engine off when two men, both wearing masks, said they wanted a ride. The two men instructed Cole to drive near the Cocoa Hut, at 101 E. Centre St., where they then told Cole to get out of the car.
After they got in, he said the assailant in the backseat held a gun to him while the other sat in the passenger seat.
One of the assailants searched him, took his phone and $50 from his car, Cole testified.
The assailant who had been in the backseat with the gun then got in the driver’s seat, put the car in reverse and ordered the other assailant to get in, Cole testified
Cole’s car was found at 12th and Market streets in the borough, and state police tested it for DNA evidence. Fingerprints matching those of the 17-year-old were found on the driver’s side area of the vehicle, police said.