A local judge has washed his hands of Henry L. Edmonds, but Edmonds’ trek through the criminal justice system is not over.

“Since there are other cases pending, I’m willing to let Ohio resolve this,” Mercer County Common Pleas Judge Christopher J. St. John said Wednesday.

Edmonds, 35, of Youngstown, pleaded guilty March 17 to a charge of robbery for holding up the Circle K, 470 N. Buhl Farm Drive, Hermitage.

Edmonds bought a cigar at 8:40 p.m. Dec. 28, 2006, police said. As the clerk gave him change, Edmonds said, “I have a gun in my pocket. Give me all your money, I don’t want to have to shoot up the place.”

Edmonds, who was on a three- or four-day drug binge at the time, got away with $153.

As part of his plea deal, prosecutors did not invoke the 10-year mandatory minimum sentence. Edmonds has a prior felony conviction, which could have triggered the mandatory.

The previous felony, a robbery conviction in Ohio, kept Edmonds in custody for 13 of the last 15 years. Edmonds has new robbery charges pending in Ohio, and his probation has been revoked.

Edmonds said he is “determined to change my life and go on straight path,” but acknowledged a drug problem.

“The extent of your addiction is so profound you need constant treatment,” St. John said.

St. John handed down an 11è-to-23-month jail sentence, but paroled Edmonds for having served his minimum term so he can face the Ohio charges.

St. John also put Edmonds on 5 years’ probation and ordered that he undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation and pay back the money.

Edmonds filed a federal civil rights suit against Mercer County Jail and jail officials for allegedly locking him up with a “crazed” inmate who slashed his hands.