SMETHPORT — A Bradford man who hid from police in an attic in April, and was charged with forging checks belonging to a single mother in 2017, was sentenced to 60 days to 18 months in county jail, with credit for 27 days served, during sentencing in McKean County Court Thursday. Colts, 33, had been charged in April with one count of flight to avoid apprehension, and later pled guilty to the third-degree felony, when Bradford City Police officers came to his residence at 82 Summer St. with a warrant for him. Colts didn’t comply and come out of the house for police, and instead hid in the attic of the house, where authorities apprehended him.
As for his forgery charges, Colts also pleaded guilty to signing checks worth $695 that belonged to a single mother. The individual whose checks were forged by Colts was not in court for the sentencing, but provided a written statement to court officials.
McKean County President Judge John Pavlock shared portions of the woman’s letter with the court, and said she wrote that Colts “showed no remorse for his action” in taking her money.
The woman wrote that when the money was taken from her, she couldn’t buy groceries for her children.
When Pavlock asked if he had a statement to provide, Colts stood quietly next to his attorney and indicated he had nothing to say.
Pavlock did comment, however, and noted his belief the defendant didn’t have the ability to feel bad or “think right” because of his abuse of drugs.
“I truly believe Mr. Colts is not who he is anymore, he didn’t think of those kids,” Pavlock said.
At one point, Pavlock told Colts that if he wanted to get his life back, he would have to get it back himself.
Pavlock admitted that he didn’t want to give Colts jail time, but wanted to use the sentencing to motivate the defendant to get treatment.
“I know you can do it, but it’s up to you to follow the treatment,” Pavlock added.
On a final note, Pavlock told Colts that his sentencing likely would have been less harsh if he hadn’t run from police to the attic of the home.
When Colts completes his incarceration, Pavlock said he will need an approved treatment plan for his drug addiction, will have to complete 90 hours of community service, send a letter of apology to the McKean County Probation Office and pay restitution to the victim, among other stipulations.
