SMETHPORT — A Port Allegany man who previously pleaded guilty in two cases — one a police standoff that had him dangerously hiding on a Bradford rooftop — will serve time in state prison.
Ryan P. Johnston, 27, of Port Allegany, will serve 15 to 30 months in state prison with credit for 98 days of time served, followed by one year of probation. He was sentenced Thursday in McKean County Court before President Judge John Pavlock.
Johnston entered his plea Oct. 31 to a charge of flight to avoid apprehension in one case and a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia in the other. That day, Johnston’s attorney, Daniel Lang, outlined the information to which his client was pleading guilty in the standoff case: Johnston avoided apprehension in Bradford City for allegations in New York state.
In the other case, Assistant District Attorney Bridget Murphy had said that on Aug. 27, 2018, Johnston possessed drug paraphernalia.
On Thursday, Johnston apologized to everyone who was working at the scene of the standoff, noting that it lasted for three hours and shut down the roadway.
“Addiction is a serious thing,” Johnston said. “It’s a more serious thing than people realize.”
At the time of his arrest, Johnston and Christina M. Lynn-Hamilton were accused of hiding from police on Aug. 15 on the roof of a 217 South Ave. home. Officials had reported at the time the pair was taking methamphetamine while on the roof and nearly fell off multiple times.
Hamilton is serving seven months to two years in state prison for her role in the standoff, as well as for allegations that she concealed Johnston in her home.
