Olivia Goldberg / The Citizen

AUBURN -- A 19-year-old Owasco man pleaded guilty Tuesday morning to a single count of fourth-degree grand larceny, in stealing a firearm.

Anthony Ranauro waived his right to a grand jury trial after admitting he had stolen his father's .38 caliber handgun on the evening of October 15, 2004. He told Judge Mark Fandrich he'd been under stress and -- until his father talked him out of it -- had intended to follow through on plans to commit suicide.

"Thankfully you didn't," Fandrich said.

Chief Assistant District Attorney Jon Budelmann found no prior statements on record from the accused or other witnesses in the case to corroborate Ranauro's claims. Rather, prior statements reflected that Ranauro had bragged about having taken the gun and shown it off to at least one witness. Ranauro's father had initially pressed charges.

At the district attorney's request, Fandrich amended the indictment to reflect the town of Owasco.

Ranauro is expected to spend six months in Cayuga County Jail, after which he will complete five months of probation. Sentencing was set for June 20.

For more on this story, read Wednesday's editon of The Citizen.