Westlake man faces up to 10½ years in prison for aggravated robbery, other charges

MEDINA — A Westlake man pleaded guilty Thursday to two felony charges in connection with two armed robberies and was subsequently sentenced to nine to 10½ years in prison. Blaine Miller, 25, of Westlake, appeared before Medina County Common Pleas Judge Joyce Kimbler on Thursday for a change of plea hearing. He is charged with two counts of aggravated robbery, which are first-degree felonies. Each count included several specifications, including a three-year firearm specification and two specifications for forfeiture of a weapon. Miller's felony charges are in connection with two armed robberies at businesses in Liverpool Township and Brunswick. He was apprehended in late May and transported to Medina County Jail after a coordinated investigation, which included the Medina County Sheriff's Office, that began shortly after the crimes were reported in each jurisdiction. Both incidents involved the presence of a semi-automatic firearm. During Thursday's hearing, Miller's attorney Christopher Godinsky spoke further about Miller, stating that he had never been in trouble before. Godinsky said Miller grew up in Westlake, raised by his mother and stepfather. He graduated from Westlake High School in 2018. As Godinsky spoke, he noted that Miller's mother, siblings, grandmother and aunt were in the courtroom to support him. "This situation, your honor, has been completely devastating for this entire family," Godinsky said. "They know that Blaine did wrong, but they are here to support him." Godinsky said he presented letters and character references on Miller's behalf, which he believes shows the tremendous support Miller has. Godinsky said Miller had a problem with alcohol and drugs, which got out of control and led to the aggravated burglaries. When law enforcement came to Miller's house and executed a search warrant, Godinsky said Miller admitted to it right away, took full responsibility and apologized. "From day one, he was overly honest with me about what had happened. He took full responsibility," Godinsky said. "As he sits here today next to me, I can't even recognize him from when I met him a couple of months ago, the first time at the jail. He's healthy now, he's eating well, he's exercising, he is doing programming while he's in the jail to better himself." Miller also spoke during Thursday's hearing, apologizing to all those involved. He talked about wanting to better himself and to live a better life. Kimbler said she received and looked over the letters and character references. "It does seem like this is totally out of character for you when you are not drug-dependent," she said. "Unfortunately, what you did was very serious and it carries some very serious consequences." Kimbler then imposed a jointly recommended sentence of nine to 10½ years. For each of the firearm specifications, Miller received three years, which are to be served consecutively to one another and consecutively to the prison term for counts one and two. For counts one and two, Miller received three to 4½ years to be served concurrently with one another, but consecutively to the firearm specifications. Kimbler said upon his release from prison, he would be subject to a mandatory period of post-release control for a minimum of two years and up to a maximum of five years. Contact reporter Sara Crawford at (330) 721-4063 or scrawford@medina-gazette.com.