Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry John R. Shreve

A former Warren County solicitor is behind bars for non-payment on a series of parking tickets.

John R. Shreve, 31, Warren, was found to be in contempt of court for failure to pay fines and costs by Judge John Foradora, Jefferson County’s Court of Common Pleas president judge, at a hearing on May 31.

He had appealed a total of 16 unpaid parking tickets from the magisterial level to the Court of Common Pleas.

Unpaid fines and fees on those 16 dockets total $2,121.65. Online court records indicate the last payment made was on December 11.

But Shreve had to pay far less than that to avoid a hit in the Warren County Jail.

Online court records show that an order from Foradora was filed with the county’s Prothonotary Office on June 21 which stated that Shreve was in contempt and “shall stand committed to the Warren County Jail for a period of six months.”

But that order further states that it would “be suspended on the condition that on or before June 30th, 2019, the Defendant shall pay a minimum of $25 to the Warren County Court of Common Pleas and a minimum of $25” to District Justice Raymond Zydonik’s office.

“Failure to comply with this order shall result in a warrant being issued for the Defendant’s arrest,” the order concludes.

The Times Observer previously reported that a summary appeal trial was held before Foradora in February following a summary trial in November.

Shreve was found guilty at both.

Foradora said he had offered to have a payment plan set up for Shreve at that time, but Shreve told him he would make payment in full by the end of February.

Shreve was administratively suspended effective in April by order of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for failure to complete required continuing legal education.

Shreve was the solicitor for the county in 2017 and 2018 and did not apply for reappointment to the position for 2019.