A McKeesport man prosecutors said was the ringleader of a group that entered a Unity home, stabbed the occupant, and stole money and guns was sentenced to potentially 14 years in prison on Thursday.
Sean C. Jones, 22, pled guilty in November to counts of aggravated assault, conspiracy, robbery, burglary, and theft in connection with an incident on December 4, 2023, that left one man with stab wounds in his leg. According to prosecutors, Jones drove to Unity with four other individuals to commit the robbery and assault after receiving information from his girlfriend.
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“It was their decision, and they had 45 minutes to reconsider alternatives to the home invasion, but they stayed the course and stole guns and money,” Assistant District Attorney Jim Lazar explained.
Court documents reveal that Kelsie Graham, Jones’ girlfriend, and another woman received an invitation to a Unity home and conducted a thorough inspection of the premises. Prosecutors say Graham called Jones with information about their target.
According to police, later that night, Jones and his friends arrived, discussed guns with the victim, ordered him to the ground, held him at gunpoint, stabbed him in the leg during the assault, and then fled with approximately $5,000 in cash and several weapons.
“I was young, addicted to really hard drugs, and made a bad decision,” Jones said before being sentenced to seven to fourteen years in jail by Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Tim Krieger.
Jones was questioned by the judge about his role in the heist and denied being the group’s mastermind but said he and Graham were in a love connection at the time of the robbery.
“Everyone just came together,” Jones remarked.
Krieger said he couldn’t say whether Jones was the group’s leader, but the sentence he imposed was based on his juvenile record and the severe nature of the offenses to which he pleaded guilty.
“You drove some distance, and there was premeditation. It’s disturbing to say the least. You are a bright young guy, and you are squandering your potential.” Life may be difficult for you, but that does not justify violence like this,” Krieger added.
Jones became the second member of the group to plead guilty and be sentenced to prison.
Myles F. Kacin, 20, of Monroeville, pled guilty in September to his role in the attack and robbery and was sentenced to six to twelve years in prison last month.
Charges against Antonio McMahon, 22, of McKeesport, Michael Hafner, 24, of North Versailles, Shane O’Toole, 23, of Munhall, and Graham, 20, of Latrobe remain pending.
