An Ohio man is fighting a littering charge that he says he got after the dollar he tried to give a disabled person at a Cleveland intersection fell to the ground, WJW-TV reports.

John Davis says he was cited for littering, which carries a $344 fine, rather than for giving money to a panhandler, which carries a much smaller penalty.

Davis, who pleaded not guilty on Tuesday in a Cleveland court, tells WJW that he was pulled over by a police officer after handing the money to the panhandler, who was in a wheelchair and holding a religious sign.

"Obviously he's needing some money or he wouldn't be out there," he told Fox 8.

Davis says court costs alone could run as much as $500, not including attorney fees.

"I never thought that a couple dollars could turn into a couple hundred dollars or whatever it may be at this point," Davis tells WJW-TV.