Teen Pleads No Contest In Noose Case

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio — An 18-year-old accused of putting a noose around a teenager's neck was sentenced to 10 days in jail on Wednesday.

The suspect, who 10TV did not identify because he allegedly committed the crime as a juvenile, pleaded no contest with to a charge of ethnic intimidation, which is a fifth-degree felony, 10TV's Patrick Bell reported.

A charge of aggravated menacing was dropped as part of an agreement.

Robert Cantu, who is half Hispanic, told 10TV's Cara Connelly on Monday that the alleged attack occurred in broad daylight. He said the boys were shouting racial slurs at him and a friend, who is African-American.

"The next thing I know, those kids jump(ed) out of the truck with a noose and (said), 'Get the black kid,'" Cantu said. "I didn't know what was going on until they pushed me down and put the noose on me."

Cantu, 17, said that his friend ran away but he was dragged around the lot.

According to Cantu, the teens told him they were taking him to the town square to hang him before a bystander rescued him.

"The fact that (Robert) is Hispanic and that was the whole reason for the hanging - these were people he never knew, never met," said Marcie Cantu, the boy's mother.

After months of investigating, Knox County prosecutors filed charges against an 18-year-old.

Robert Cantu and his mother said 10 days in jail is not justice for the pain they have suffered, Bell reported.

"They put a noose around his neck and dragged him and they told him, We are going to kill you.' Can you imagine what that child went through?" Marcie Cantu said. "(I'm) just floored. That is not sending a message to the community."

"I think he should have gotten more than 10 days," Robert Cantu said. "He's 18, he should have gotten more severe punishment for what he did."

Judge James Ronk declined to comment on the sentencing, telling 10TV News that it "wouldn't be judicious and would violate some kind of judicial ethics."

The defendant's family also declined to speak to 10TV News.

The Cantus said they planned to file a civil lawsuit against the city of Mount Vernon. They also said the family intends to move out of town.

Stay with 10TV News and 10TV.com for more information.