Mitchell Ferguson

A Clay Township man charged with robbing a discount store pleaded guilty Monday in Butler County Court.

Mitchell J. Ferguson, 29, of Clay Township pleaded guilty to a third-degree felony count of robbery before Judge William Shaffer.

The plea deal calls for a sentence of 11 to 23 months in Butler County Prison followed by five years on probation. He is scheduled to be sentenced March 15.

State police arrested Ferguson after he allegedly robbed the Dollar General on Route 8 in Brady Township on Aug. 27, 2017.

A clerk told police that the robber, wearing a Led Zeppelin shirt and blue jeans, walked up to the counter and asked for money.

“I am going to need you to open up your register and give me all of the money in it,” he told the clerk, according to court documents.

While the clerk opened the cash register, the robber told her, “I am not playing. I don't want to hurt you.” The man reached over the counter and snatched $213 that was in the drawer, once the register was open, police said. He fled out the front door.

Ferguson was initially charged with both first-degree and third-degree felony count of robbery as well as theft.

Ben Simon, an assistant district attorney, told Shaffer that the top count was withdrawn in the plea deal because no weapon was used in the crime.