Lebanon Levi's sidekick is in legal trouble after a state constable nabbed him on criminal charges dating to 2008.

However, John F. Schmucker's attorney said, the fugitive's arrest won't keep the "Amish Mafia" star off the small screen.

Schmucker, 28, of Paradise, will again play a major role as boss Lebanon Levi's right-hand man on the upcoming second season of the hit television series, attorney Steven Breit said.

Filming has been ongoing in Lancaster County, with the season two premiere tenatively slated for early March, Breit said Friday.

Court records show Schmucker had been avoiding criminal charges — five counts of driving under suspension and misdemeanor hit-and-run — since 2008.

Schmucker's scenes were temporarily interrupted Feb. 7 when Constable Paul Castline arrested him on a hit-and-run charge and multiple counts of driving on a suspended license.

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.

"He said he wanted it all off his plate," Castline said of his conversation with Schmucker during the arrest. "It was easy as pie; he did the right thing."

Schmucker has since been released on $3,000 unsecured bail and will face the hit-and-run charge — the most serious — at preliminary hearings next month. Upon conviction, he faces a potential prison term and fines. (He pleaded guilty to three summary traffic charges.)

Breit said that although Schmucker was considered a fugitive regarding the Sept. 27 hit-and-run crash, his client wasn't a flight risk.

"He at no time fled — he appeared on national TV," Breit said. "He wasn't going anywhere."

In the most serious case, Schmucker is charged with striking a woman's vehicle at a Columbia intersection, then leaving the scene before police and medical personnel arrived. He was driving a vehicle, on a suspended license, that belonged to the TV production company affiliated with Discovery Channel, a police affidavit shows.

Schmucker told police "he had things to do and left," according to the affidavit.

No one was hurt in the crash; both vehicles sustained damage, Breit said.

The first season of Discovery Channel's series broke network records. It featured a gang of Lancaster-based Plain community protectors.

Most of the filming was done in Lancaster County, and the characters either live here or have close ties to the area. Critics have questioned the show's validity, but Discovery insists the events are based on "witness" accounts.

Schmucker, referred to simply as "John" in the TV series, has been depicted in many scenes carrying out orders for Levi. His sister, Esther Schmucker, also is a main player on the show.

Breit said John Schmucker is hoping to resolve his charges "amicably" with police. Schmucker had no criminal intent when he left the crash scene and missed ensuing court dates, according to his attorney.

"It's just a big misunderstanding," Breit said. "He might have been a little naive: he might not have known his obligations. He felt he was compliant."

Schmucker lives with family in North Dakota when he isn't here filming for the show, Castline said.
bhambright@lnpnews.com