Bride, groom charged
A bride and groom were charged Monday by Cecil Township police in connection with an incident that occurred inside a Southpointe hotel restroom in which a Coal Center man was arrested.
Cecil police filed charges against James R. Fowler, 33, of Belle Vernon, and Lorie Rathaway Fowler, 25, of Perryopolis, at the office of Senior District Judge Jay Dutton stemming from the incident early Sunday inside the restroom at Hilton Garden Inn.
Police were assisting the staff at Jackson’s Bar, which had closed, but a large group of patrons refused to leave, according to court documents. The officers received a complaint that there were men smoking marijuana in a restroom. Police said several people from the bar, including the Fowlers, entered the bathroom and began to push police.
James Fowler reportedly told police he was the groom and allegedly tried to step between police and the men they were trying to handcuff. He was told to leave, and police said he had to be pushed out of the restroom door.
Lorie Fowler, who police identified as the bride, also pushed her way into the restroom and was told to leave. Both were told that if they did not leave the restroom and bar, they would be arrested. Officers, in court documents, indicated the couple pleaded for the two to go back to their room and they were ruining their wedding night.
Police said they had to physically prevent several bar patrons from entering the restroom.
When another Cecil officer arrived to assist, the Fowlers reportedly followed him into the restroom.
When the officer told them to leave, James Fowler allegedly pushed past. He was told he was under arrest and was taken to the ground, but he reportedly resisted.
Police had to use a Taser to gain control of James Fowler. Lorie Fowler allegedly pushed and pulled at police, interfering with the arrest, according to court documents.
Gerard Schuster, 33, of Coal Center, was taken into custody Sunday morning after allegedly getting into a scuffle with police as they tried to take him into custody. He is free on $25,000 bond after being arraigned on charges of aggravated assault, harassment, simple assault, disorderly conduct, public drunkenness and possession of paraphernalia.
Both Fowlers are charged with obstruction of administration of law enforcement, defiant trespass, harassment and disorderly conduct. James Fowler is also charged with resisting arrest. The two are scheduled for a preliminary hearing at Dutton’s office Sept. 24.