MOUNT HOLLY, N.J. (AP) -- A homeless veteran has been sentenced to five years' probation for conspiring with a New Jersey couple to scam GoFundMe donors out of $400,000.
Johnny Bobbitt was given the sentence Friday as part of a plea agreement reached with county prosecutors last month. He must meet conditions including inpatient drug treatment and cooperation with prosecutors against his co-defendants.
If he violates those conditions, he will be sentenced to five years in prison with no possibility of parole for at least 18 months.
Bobbitt made no statement in court. He admitted helping Katelyn McClure and Mark D'Amico, McClure's boyfriend at the time, make up a story in 2017 about Bobbitt giving McClure $20 when she was stranded on a highway in Philadelphia.
Prosecutors contend a GoFundMe campaign ostensibly set up to help Bobbitt was a lie intended to enrich all three.
McClure and D'Amico allegedly used the money to buy a BMW and take expensive vacations. McClure and Bobbitt have also pleaded guilty to federal charges and await sentencing.
D'Amico and McClure were charged last fall in state court with theft and conspiracy but have yet to be indicted by a grand jury. D'Amico has denied wrongdoing.
Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.