CLARION, Pa. (EYT) – One of the men who allegedly shot pellets at a vehicle, residence, and bystanders in Clarion Township in early September entered a guilty plea on Wednesday.
John Scott Stephens, 26, of Knox, pleaded guilty on Wednesday, December 4, in Clarion County Court of Common Pleas to a second-degree misdemeanor count of conspiracy to commit simple assault.
As a result of the plea agreement, the following charges were dismissed:
– Conspiracy — Criminal Mischief — Damage Property, Misdemeanor 3
– Criminal Mischief — Damage Property, Misdemeanor 3
– Conspiracy — Harassment — Course of Conduct With No Legitimate Purpose, Summary
– Conspiracy — Disorderly Conduct Hazardous/Physical Offense, Summary
Stephens is scheduled to be sentenced at 9:00 a.m. on January 22.
The charges stem from an incident that occurred along U.S. 322 in Clarion Township in September.
Details of the case:
According to a criminal complaint, on September 10, Troopers Drayer and Dubovi, of PSP Clarion, were dispatched to the above-described location for a report of a vehicle driving by and someone shooting out of a vehicle window before fleeing the scene toward Clarion Borough.
PCO Kostok, of the Clarion-based State Police, contacted the Clarion Borough Police Department and relayed a “Be on the Lookout” (BOLO) for the described vehicle, and while Troopers Drayer and Dubovi were en route to the scene, they were notified that Clarion Borough Police had the described car stopped at the Clarion Sheetz parking lot.
After arriving at the parking lot, Trooper Drayer began searching the suspect vehicle for weapons.
The complaint notes he located a gray PFM16 BB pistol in the seat back of the passenger seat of the vehicle and then located a black PSM45 BB pistol in the left front of the trunk of the car, as well as two sling shots in the rear center of the trunk.
According to the complaint, the individuals in the vehicle — identified as John Stephens, Charles Mealy, Michael Alvarado, and Otto Baker — admitted that they intentionally shot at a vehicle, residence, and bystanders. Stephens was then transported to the former Trader Horn location in Clarion to recover a pellet/BB rifle also allegedly used during the incident that the men had intentionally hidden prior to police contact.
Charges were filed through Magisterial District Judge Duane L. Quinn’s office on Monday, September 30.
Court documents indicate Charles Edward Mealy entered a guilty plea on one second-degree misdemeanor count of simple assault on Wednesday, November 20.
As a result of the plea agreement, the following charges have been dismissed:
– Conspiracy — Criminal Mischief — Damage Property, Misdemeanor 3
– Criminal Mischief — Damage Property, Misdemeanor 3
– Conspiracy — Harassment — Course of Conduct With No Legitimate Purpose, Misdemeanor 3
– Conspiracy — Disorderly Conduct Hazardous/Physical Offense, Summary
He is scheduled to be sentenced at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 18, with Clarion County President Judge James G. Arner presiding.
The following charges against Baker and Alvarado were waived for court on Tuesday, October 29.
– Conspiracy — Criminal Mischief — Damage Property, Misdemeanor 3
– Criminal Mischief — Damage Property, Misdemeanor 3
– Conspiracy — Harassment — Course of Conduct With No Legitimate Purpose, Summary
– Conspiracy — Disorderly Conduct Hazardous/Physical Offense, Summary
Their cases continue to make their way through the court system.
