MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW) – Russell Bertuzzi, who pleaded guilty last month to aggravated robbery with a 3-year firearm specification, and Burglary, has been sentenced to an aggregate total of 26 – 31.5 years in prison by the Honorable Judge Matthew Frericks.
Bertuzzi’s violent acts against his victims were described as “truly despicable” by the prosecution. “I am glad that Bertuzzi will spend more than a quarter of a century behind bars. His violent and heinous acts against the victims in this case were truly despicable. Judge Frericks’ sentence demonstrates just how despicable they were,” said Prosecutor Grogan.
In January 2022, Bertuzzi entered a home in Marion, attempting to hide his identity by wearing a mask and a hat. Upon making contact with the victim, Bertuzzi brandished a revolver and demanded the victim give him all his jewelry and money, threatening to kill him otherwise. Bertuzzi then struck the side of the victim’s head multiple times with the revolver before fleeing the scene, leaving behind the revolver, hat, and mask. DNA results from these items led the Marion City Police Department straight to Bertuzzi.
Prosecutor Grogan expressed pride in his team of Assistant Prosecutors, Allison Kesler and Justin Frey, for their work on the case. He also commended the Marion City Police Department and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) for their efforts. “This case is yet another example of multiple Marion County law enforcement agencies coming together to achieve justice for victims,” Grogan stated.