David Pavelko pleaded guilty to inducing panic that caused MCCTC lockdown

Staff report

CANFIELD

David Pavelko, 18, of Cook Avenue in Boardman, pleaded guilty Tuesday in Mahoning County Area Court to inducing panic at Mahoning County Career and Technical Center in February.

Pavelko said he was relieved to put the incident behind him.

“It was just some stuff that didn’t really need to happen,” he said.

According to the report, Pavelko threatened an MCCTC student Feb. 29, causing administrators to lock down the school.

His original charges included inducing panic, domestic violence, aggravated menacing and telecommunications harassment.

He served 19 days in the Mahoning County jail in March and was on electronically monitored house arrest until his plea Tuesday.

His sister, Kimberly Pavelko, 21, of the same residence, said the entire situation was blown out of proportion.

“He is not a threat to society,” she said. “He’s just my brother, and he’s trying to get his life together.”

Judge Scott D. Hunter fined David Pavelko $150 plus court costs and sentenced him to one year’s probation.

He plans to finish high school in an online school and has dreams of being a rapper.

“A big burden has been lifted off my chest,” he said. “God was with me today.”