Ex-prep-school teen admits robbery spree

A former Vermont boarding-school student has admitted taking part in a Central Park mugging spree.

Jesse Wasserman pleaded guilty Tuesday to robbery. The 18-year-old expects a sentence of 1 1/3 to four years in prison. He was granted youthful offender status, which means he won't have a criminal record despite the plea.

Authorities said Wasserman and an accomplice held up three men at gunpoint in separate incidents within 40 minutes around midnight Aug. 4, 2010.

Prosecutors said the thieves took a bike, a backpack, a wallet and other items.

Defense lawyer Norman Steiner says Wasserman was just tagging along with his co-defendant, whose case is still open.

Wasserman had attended the Vermont Academy for a time in 2009. Officials at the Saxtons River school have declined to discuss his departure.