Burgettstown man who painted road granted continuance
John Cherok II, charged with criminal mischief and disorderly conduct for allegedly spray painting “Slow, 25 MPH” on a Burgettstown road, was granted a continuation Thursday.
John Cherok II, 55, of Burgettstown, brought a can of paint with him to his preliminary hearing before District Judge Gary Havelka to demonstrate that he helped improve the borough by repainting his own curb free of charge. He was granted a continuation in order to obtain an attorney.
BURGETTSTOWN – John Cherok II, the Burgettstown man who admitted to spray-painting a section of Main Street in the borough to deter speeding drivers, was granted a continuance of his preliminary hearing Thursday.
Cherok, 55, of 1617 Main St., faces charges of criminal mischief and disorderly conduct stemming from an Aug. 17 incident near his home. McDonald police cited him last month for painting “Slow, 25 mph” in large, white letters on the road. The borough is asking for nearly $540 to make repairs.
Cherok had an option to pay that amount, plus a fine, when he appeared before District Judge Gary Havelka. Instead, he opted to continue his preliminary hearing in order to hire an attorney.
Cherok said he plans to fight the charges against him during his upcoming Nov. 20 preliminary hearing. He told reporters his actions were justified, and he shouldn’t be punished for it.
“I’m not admitting guilt for something that I did for my own protection and the protection of the citizens of this town,” he said.