Driving Offenses Charged Against Keating Township Resident in McKean
SMETHPORT, Pa. – Jason Jay Mendell, a 42‑year‑old resident of East Smethport, has been charged with five driving‑related offenses stemming from an incident on September 4, 2026. The case, docket number MJ‑48302‑CR‑0000173‑2026, is pending before Magisterial District Court 48‑3‑02 in McKean County.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania filed the complaint on September 29, 2026 after Mendell was arrested by the Lewis Run Police Service Patrol (Lewis Run PSP). Arresting officer John E. III Jones documented the arrest, though the docket does not list a specific arrest date. The incident occurred in Keating Township, McKean County, and was assigned incident number PA 2026‑1129565.
Mendell faces the following charges, each with an offense date of September 4, 2026:
- 18 Pa.C.S. § 6503.1 – Habitual Offender (M2)
- 18 Pa.C.S. § 1543(a) – Driving while operating a vehicle with a suspended or revoked privilege (6th or subsequent offense)
- 18 Pa.C.S. § 1501(a) – Drivers required to be licensed
- 18 Pa.C.S. § 4703(a) – Operating a vehicle without a valid inspection – general rule
- 18 Pa.C.S. § 1511(a) – Carrying and exhibiting a driver’s license on demand
Magisterial District Judge William K. Todd was assigned to the case on September 28, 2026. A preliminary arraignment has been scheduled for October 15, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. in Judge Todd’s courtroom. The docket lists the case status as “Active – Awaiting Preliminary Hearing.” No bail amount or conditions have been entered in the record, and the defendant has not been fingerprinted.
Mendell was advised of his right to apply for an assignment of counsel but did not request a public defender, and no application for appointment was filed. The McKean County District Attorney’s Office, located at the McKean County Courthouse, 500 West Main Street, Smethport, PA 16749, is representing the Commonwealth. The district attorney can be reached at (814) 887‑3312.</n
The docket does not indicate any fines, costs, restitution, or additional financial penalties at this time.
The next procedural step is the preliminary arraignment on October 15, where Mendell will be formally advised of the charges and may enter a plea. The case will remain active pending further court action.
As required by law, Mendell is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
This article was generated based on publicly available court docket information. While we strive for accuracy, the content may contain errors or omissions. This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. For official court records and legal guidance, please consult the appropriate court or legal professional.