A 19-year-old man was allowed to enter a guilty plea in Cayuga County Court Tuesday to a reduced charge in a home invasion case and was sentenced to state prison time.

Joseph Kowal, with a last known address of 5555 West Lake Road, Auburn, and currently held in Cayuga County Jail, pleaded guilty in January to the felonies of second-degree burglary and second-degree attempted robbery. On Tuesday, Kowal was allowed to plead guilty to the felony of third-degree burglary and third-degree robbery.

Justice Thomas VanStrydonck - the Administrative Judge of the Seventh Judicial District who has been filling in for Cayuga County Surrogate Judge Mark Fandrich off-and-on - sentenced Kowal to two and a third to seven years in state prison and $270 restitution in lieu of the state felony conviction surcharge.

Kowal admitted burglarizing a Hobson Avenue, Auburn, residence around 12:45 a.m. Aug. 31 with two others in pursuit of marijuana, and Kowal admitted returning to the man's home later that night for more marijuana.

Corey Wooldridge, 17, with a last known address of 17 Washington St., Auburn, and currently being held in Cayuga County Jail, faces numerous charges, including allegations he twice tried to rob the man, threatening him with what looked like a pistol and hitting him repeatedly with a board.

Ryan Martinez, 18, with a last known address of 88 Rochester St., Port Byron, is out on bail set at $1,000 cash or $2,000 bond and is also accused of several charges.

Fandrich has reserved decision on the admissibility at a jury trial of statements Martinez made to police. Martinez maintains he asked for an attorney during his police interview.

Staff writer Amaris Elliott-Engel can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or at amaris.elliot-engel@lee.net