CANONSBURG, Pa. (AP) — A Washington County man has been jailed on charges he forged a court document to keep a state constable from evicting him from his apartment last month.
Officials said 38-year-old John Matthew Thomas was arrested Thursday after Canonsburg police determined he faked the yellow eviction appeal notice he used to persuade a constable to let him stay in his apartment.
Thomas' landlord filed for eviction claiming Thomas was $2,700 behind on his rent, and the constable went to serve the notice on Dec. 15. That's when Thomas allegedly presented a copy of the forged document which, had it been legitimate, would have allowed him to legally remain in the residence until the appeal could be heard.
Washington County court clerks reviewed the document for police and determined it was bogus.
WPXI
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