John Schmucker Arrested On Outstanding Warrants; Amish Mafia Season Two Confirmed
February 16, 2013 by Hollywoodite
Another of Amish Mafia’s petty criminals whose rap sheet is nothing like as storied nor violent as Discovery’s producers would have fans believe is facing charges on previously-committed crimes. This time, John Freeman Schmucker has been arrested on outstanding warrants.
Schmucker, 28 is facing “several traffic-related charges including hit-and-run after police say he left the scene of an accident on September 27 in Columbia, Lancaster County,” reports ABC27 News.
LancasterOnline.com notes: “Court records show Schmucker had been avoiding criminal charges, five counts of driving under suspension and misdemeanor hit-and-run, since 2008… Constable Paul Castline arrested him [Feb 7]… Castline said he took Schmucker into custody in Quarryville after Schmucker contacted him about the outstanding warrants. Castline had previously left his business card at Schmucker’s parents’ house after informing them that John was a fugitive.”
Constable Castline adds that Schmucker turned himself in to finally ease his conscience.
Court records indicate, Schmucker had been driving a vehicle that belonged to the show’s production company while on a suspended license (note: his sister, Esther Freeman Schmucker, who also appeared on the show, is a producer for Discovery’s sister channel TLC).
Schmucker was released on $3,000 unsecured bail. His preliminary hearing is next month. He faces prison and fines.
Attorney Steven Breit confirms Schmucker has been cast in a second season of Amish Mafia. Filming for season two has already started in Lancaster County, with its premiere tentatively scheduled for early March. Archangel Investigations notes, “A source close to The Discovery Channel’s hit show, Amish Mafia, has reported that Discovery has agreed to buy up to 18 additional episodes.”
Breit also said his ex-fugitive client wasn’t a flight risk, “He at no time fled, he appeared on national TV, he wasn’t going anywhere.”
Schmucker reportedly left the scene of the accident he caused at a Columbia intersection because “he had things to do.”
“It’s just a big misunderstanding,” Breit insisted. “He might have been a little naive. He might not have known his obligations. He felt he was compliant.”