SMETHPORT – A Smethport man will be spending at least nine
months in state prison for years of harassing his neighbors,
according to Senior Judge Robert Wolfe Wednesday in McKean County
Court.

Wolfe sentenced Joel Mark Johnson, 45, of Riley Hollow Road, to
serve nine months to three years in state prison on three counts of
disorderly conduct and seven counts of harassment. The incidents
involved Johnson holding a chainsaw above his head while looking at
a female neighbor, banging on the lid of a Dumpster and making
noise during early hours of the day, according to court
records.

“This is a case in which a statement of the charge alone doesn’t
describe the situation,” said Assistant District Attorney Scott
Klein. “The defendant’s conduct led the victims to alter their
regularly scheduled course of conduct.”

Klein also alleged that after Johnson was charged with harassing
his neighbors, his conduct continued.

“Nothing’s worked with him,” Klein said. He explained that
Johnson has had numerous charges in the past involving harassment,
but hasn’t seemed to learn his lesson or to have been remorseful
for his conduct.

“He’s made indecent gestures towards probation officers,” Klein
said. “He deserves a state sentence. It’s the only way to keep him
away from (the victims).”

Several neighbors spoke to the judge, explaining they are afraid
of Johnson and saying his behavior has been growing progressively
worse.

“I went out of my way to get along with the guy,” said Mark
Bosworth. When Johnson starting making excessive noise and Bosworth
had to call the police, “he started focusing his attentions on
us.”

“This is a relatively minor matter,” argued defense attorney Sam
Stretton. He said Johnson lives with and cares for his elderly
mother. He said Johnson got a job in Mifflin County and was
planning to relocate there.

“They’ll leave this county where he apparently doesn’t get along
with his neighbors,” Stretton said. He had 20 character witnesses,
several of whom were family members of Johnson’s and others who
were past employers or friends, who testified as to the type of man
they knew Johnson to be – kind, compassionate and caring, always
quick to lend a hand.

However, Wolfe asked those witnesses who all had been at
Johnson’s trial. Other than Johnson’s mother, two other people
raised their hands.

“If I were to ask some of the victims who sit in this court, you
would hear an entirely different story,” Wolfe said.

Stretton interrupted to make a comment, but Wolfe cut him off.
“I’m going to ask you to please by quiet and don’t interrupt the
court.”

Wolfe then said to the audience that he had received letters
from some victims, and referred to testimony by other victims given
at Johnson’s trial. “They testify to his conduct and it’s not very
nice … sexual harassment and physical harassment.”

Wolfe went on to say that Johnson’s conduct served no legitimate
purpose.

“If you were a school boy, you would be known as the school
ground bully,” Wolfe said. “You’ve grown up … and become the
community bully.”

Recounting Johnson’s past criminal history, Wolfe said, “You’ve
had six chances in the past to stop this conduct.”

After the imposition of sentence, Stretton asked for Johnson to
be released on bail pending appeal. While Stretton was still
arguing, Wolfe interrupted, saying, “The motion for bail is
denied.”