City Teen Fined for Common Assault in First Criminal Conviction

A city teenager received his first conviction today and is now in debt of $305. Nineteen-year-old Jerome Jones, a city resident, appeared unrepresented before Magistrate Ludlow Black, on a single charge of common assault. According to police, on August 13, Jones assaulted Igaia Harris during a misunderstanding. Jones pleaded guilty to the charge without delay. Magistrate Black imposed a fine after considering Jones’ timely guilty plea, his clean criminal record, and his expression of remorse. Jones was fined $300 plus a $5.00 court cost, which he must pay by September 30. Failure to pay will result in a three-month prison sentence.