LISBON - A man who used a knife to threaten another man while stealing his wallet pleaded guilty Wednesday to an amended charge of attempted robbery, a fourth-degree felony.

Lance Richardson, 21, whose last known address was listed as North Ellsworth Avenue, Salem, entered the guilty plea in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court, where Judge David Tobin set sentencing for Feb. 25.

Richardson was originally indicted for a first-degree felony charge of aggravated robbery. He had been released from jail on a recognizance bond on the condition that he be confined to home. The fourth-degree felony carries a possible penalty of six to 18 months in prison. If convicted of the original charge, he could have faced three to 10 years in prison.

Court documents said the victim, William Brown, was robbed July 21 after leaving the Side Door tavern when a man approached him, grabbed him by the shirt and said he was going to rob him. When he tried to pull away, the man pulled a knife and placed it to his chest and removed his wallet from his pants, then left.

Also in Common Pleas Court:

Corey Witherow, 23, of 14979 Steubenville Pike Road, Lisbon, was sentenced to 12 months in prison for two counts each of theft and forgery, both fifth-degree felonies, after his intervention deal was revoked because he violated the terms. He received credit for 154 days served. Documents said he stole two checks belonging to his mother from her residence on March 3, 2008 and forged her signature to cashed them for $50 each at a store in Gavers.

James Budney, 38, of Chester, W.Va., was sentenced to 45 days in the county jail and placed on community control for five years, with six months to be served at the Eastern Ohio Correction Center, for two counts of receiving stolen property, a fifth-degree felony. Documents said Budney used a credit card belonging to his stepfather at the Calcutta Walmart in February 2008.

Carl Chain, 40, whose last known address was Tip Top Alley, East Liverpool, pleaded guilty to two counts of failure to notify sheriff of change of address, a fourth-degree felony, and one county of non-support of dependents, a fifth-degree felony, with sentencing Feb. 12. Documents said Chain, a registered sex offender, failed to report his change of address to the Sheriff's Office in July and November 2008. He also failed to pay child support for one child from July 2006 to July 2008.

Michael Exline, 38, of 29549 Salem-Alliance Road, Salem, pleaded guilty to non-support of dependents, a fifth-degree felony, with sentencing Feb. 19. Documents said Exline failed to pay child support for a child from Aug. 1, 2002 to June 2008.

Mary Ann Greier can be reached at mgreier@salemnews.net