SCHENECTADY – A daredevil YouTuber, who was on probation for brazenly riding his dirt bike through Price Chopper in 2018, was sentenced by a judge Thursday to 90 days behind bars for violating the terms of that agreement that called for him to stay out of trouble with the law.
Traitin Knight pleaded guilty in City Court Thursday to misdemeanor reckless driving and operating an off-road vehicle, a violation of city code stemming from a police pursuit in downtown Schenectady in June where, according to court documents, police say Knight blew through stop signs and red lights, and rode his bike the wrong way down a one-way street and on sidewalks with pedestrians in a bid to elude capture.
Knight was later charged with misdemeanor unlawful fleeing a police officer as well as a slew of motor vehicle and traffic infractions.
Attorney Daniel Smalls, who represented him in court Thursday, had asked Judge Carl Falotico for a 60-day sentence on the probation violation.
Knight who has already been in jail for about a month will get credit for that time served. He could have received 120 days.
In handing down the 90-day penalty, Falotico cited the fact that the defendant had “take responsibility for his actions” and turned himself in to start serving time for the probation violation.
He noted that except for his dirt bike-related problems, some of which he attributed in part to Knight’s desire to get “views on YouTube, ” Knight “led a law-abiding life.”
Falotico said he hoped Knight would “see this as an opportunity for a fresh start.”
Over the years, elected officials in Schenectady, Albany and other places have tried with little success to combat the problem of rogue dirt bikers who ride recklessly creating chaos and potential danger on roads.
Knight has a popular YouTube channel where he primarily shows off his riding skills and gives advice on riding a dirt bike and other all-terrain vehicles. He declined when the judge gave him a chance to address the court.
In 2018, Knight gained notoriety when strapped a GoPro camera to his helmet and filmed his daring ride where he popped a wheelie while riding and revving his dirt bike through the Price Chopper in Schenectady. He later posted a video of the escapade on social media.
After the court appearance, Smalls explained that following a two-day hearing last month, Falotico determined that Knight had violated the terms of supervision in the case. At the time he had about four months left to complete in his probation stemming from the Price Chopper stunt.
A deal was reached and Knight opted to begin serving his time after the hearing, said Smalls.
He said that his client isn’t fixated with views and clicks on social media platforms, describing Knight as “a person who has a passion for these dirt bikes and also a person who has a huge following on YouTube.”
Smalls said that Knight is contrite and has learned his lesson.
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