Video: Robber Sentenced to Six Years in Prison

When La Don Foster was first arraigned for robbing a man at gunpoint, he asked Mentor Municipal Court Judge John Trebets 

Trebets replied that he would certainly have that opportunity later.

Foster, 21, had that opportunity to apologize this morning when he was sentenced for armed robbery in Lake County Court of Common Pleas.

Foster apologized not only to the victim – who did not come to the hearing – but to his family, friends and the court. He also asked for leniency from Judge Richard L. Collins Jr.

"I have a daughter who desperately needs me at home right now and I would ask you, if you can find it in your heart, to not send me away for a long time," he said.

The judge responded by sentencing Foster to six years, the shortest prison stint he could give him within the law's sentencing guidelines.

Lake County Assistant Prosecutor Jamie Eck had asked the judge for a 7-year prison term. She noted that Foster had cooperated with the investigation and admitted what he did.

However, he had also  with the promise of selling him marijuana, proffered a gun and demanded his money and cellphone, she said.

"Whenever you rob somebody using a firearm, the victim suffers psychological harm," Eck said.

The judge also noted that Foster had a long history of drug abuse. He started drinking alcohol at 10 and smoking marijuana at 11, Collins said. Then Foster progressed to crack cocaine and heroin.

Foster's attorney, Ruth Fischbein-Cohen, said her client regretted his actions and repeatedly referred to his crime as a stupid mistake.

During the hearing, Collins' courtroom was filled with Foster's friends and family.

Fischbein-Cohen said the support Foster received from his loved ones would function as "insurance" that he stays on the right path.

"I do sentencings all of the time and most of the time, I don't see the show of love and caring that I do (here,)" she said.

Video of the hearing, including Foster's statement, is attached to this story.