SHARON HILL, PA — A former assistant fire chief was found guilty Monday of ethnic intimidation after authorities say he made racist threats against a Black driver while illegally blocking the roadway.
In November 2024, John Romano blocked a roadway in Sharon Hill while loading trees onto a forklift, according to the Delaware County District Attorney's Office.
The victim — a Black woman — was the second driver in a line of backed-up traffic. After a different driver honked, Romano yelled at the victim, "Who the f—k are you beeping at? Shut up b—h."
Romano, who was Sharon Hill's assistant fire chief, let the first car go by. As the victim tried to pass through, Romano jumped out of the forklift and called her a "monkey," authorities said.
During the incident, Romano took a picture of the victim's license plate and asked her where she lives and where she's from. He also told the woman she has no money, threatened violence and said he wouldn't care if she called the cops because he's protected.
The victim called police.
"I moved here thinking it was a safe neighborhood for my family," the victim said, according to an affidavit. "Now I feel that he will have people come after me."
Romano, a volunteer firefighter, was suspended from his position. Sharon Hill Borough officials severed all ties with him.
In a bench trial, Judge Margaret Amoroso found him guilty Monday on all counts: third-degree felony ethnic intimidation, misdemeanor terroristic threats and harassment, plus disorderly conduct and obstructing highways.
The 48-year-old is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 28.
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