Appearing before the Honorable Alfonse Cifelli, J.S.C., Mitchell, 24, of Brooklyn admitted entering a private, off-campus Irvington Avenue home in South Orange on March 15, 2010 initially to purchase marijuana. Once inside, Mitchell said he and his co-defendant, Kelly Whitney, 27, of Chicago decided to instead rob the residents of the marijuana.

Assistant Prosecutor Linda Childs said under the terms of the plea agreement she will recommend that Mitchell receive three years in state prison. He must serve 85 percent of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

“This is a tragic incident that hurt a number of people in the community. Hopefully, this plea will bring a measure of justice to the people who were harmed,’’ said Childs. “Parents should be able to send their children to college and not have to worry that they will be victimized.’’

Mitchell remains incarcerated but his bail has been reduced to $50,000.

Kelly Whitney, who was indicted for holding other students at gunpoint and robbing them, is expected to go to trial. A trial date has not been set but the next status conference is scheduled for Nov. 5, also before Judge Cifelli.

Whitney remains incarcerated.

They are charged with eight counts of kidnapping, eight counts of aggravated assault, burglary, robbery and weapons offenses. If convicted of all charges, both could be sentenced to more than 30 years in prison.

The indictment alleges the men entered a home on Irvington Avenue in South Orange and kidnapped and robbed eight people at gunpoint on Monday, March 15, 2010. They allegedly took credit cards, cell phones, debit cards, drivers’ licenses, digital cameras and approximately $300 in cash.

Mitchell was arrested on March 16, 2010 when South Orange police officers spotted him in the vicinity of South Orange Avenue and Poe Avenue in Newark. Whitney was arrested on March 18, 2010 at a Newark hotel.

These are mere accusations. All defendants are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Both men are still incarcerated.

The judge set bail at $650,000 and ordered a bail source hearing. The judge also ordered Mitchell to surrender his passport. The judge ordered Mitchell, who is scheduled to graduate in May from Seton Hall to have no contact with victims and witnesses may have been involved in the case.

Mitchell allegedly entered a residence located on Irvington Avenue in South Orange on Monday, March 15, 2010 and forced occupants to move from various rooms into a common area where they were forced at gunpoint to turn over their cash and personal items.

Various items including credit cards, cell phones, drivers’ licenses, debit cards, digital cameras and approximately $300 in cash. Mitchell then fled the scene in a vehicle that has since been recovered.

Mitchell was arrested on March 16 and charged with kidnapping, burglary and weapons offenses.