Cardinal Points

Issue date: 4/13/07 Section: News

Joe Gbolo

Joe Gbolo, a 17-year-old Plattsburgh State student, is facing a felony charge of second-degree robbery following an alleged drug stick-up on the night of Monday, April 2.

Gbolo and 23-year-old Eric Mireku allegedly entered 39 South Platt St., Apt. 14 and displayed what appeared to be pistols, according to Plattsburgh City Police Lt. Scott Beebie. The two ordered both people in the apartment, Dominic Paul and Scott Osika, to the floor while demanding money and marijuana.

A description of the two alleged robbers and their vehicle was given to police officers, who then located a black SUV in Renaissance Village matching the description.

Police found Mireku in the courtyard of Renaissance Village where he was identified as one of the robbers, Beebie said.

Gbolo was arrested two days later on April 4.

None of the pistols allegedly used in the robbery have been found, Clinton County District Attorney Andrew Wylie said Wednesday afternoon.

Earlier that day, wearing a gray- and black-striped jumpsuit, an orange Clinton County Jail jacket and cuffs attached to both wrists and ankles, Gbolo stood before Judge Penelope Clute as she told him he would be given a pre-trial release.

When she told him he would need to turn in any handguns or weapons, he replied that he did not have any.

If convicted as an adult, Gbolo could face a mandatory sentence of three-to-15 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.

It will be a court decision whether Gbolo will be granted youthful offender status, Wylie said.

Clute was reluctant to grant Gbolo a pre-trial release because the class C felony is considered a violent crime.

Pre-trial releases are given to those who have financial difficulties paying bail.

Gbolo will be required to visit a court referral specialist every day under stipulations of the pre-trial release.

He will also be required to take a drug test once a week.

Normally people in a pre-trial release situation check in once every few days, but Gbolo agreed to the daily check-in.

Most of Gbolo's family resides in Newburgh, N.Y., his attorney said Wednesday. At that time he didn't expect any visitors until his brother visits him today.

PSUC has not yet taken any action against Gbolo, Dean of Students Steve Matthews said.

He said in circumstances like this, the safety of students becomes a priority and a student charged with certain offenses could receive an interim suspension.

Following the suspension the college would schedule a hearing to determine further actions.

Gbolo was arraigned in Clinton County Court before Judge Patrick McGill on April 4 before being committed to the Clinton County jail in lieu of $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 bond.

He spent six days in jail, his court appearance delayed during a search for legal representation.

He then waited an additional three hours because of recesses during his Wednesday morning court appearance, before Clute granted him the pre-trial release.

He will appear again before the Plattsburgh City Court on Wednesday.

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