Blaine sentenced to nearly five years in prison
Lead Summary
By
Brandy Chandler-brandychandler@gmail.com
Former Good Shepherd Church Pastor Jim Blaine was sentenced to nearly five years in prison Friday - one month shy of the maximum - for stealing funds from the church. A church member who spoke at the sentencing hearing said that Blaine stole money that was given to God.
Blaine was also ordered to pay restitution to the church in the amount of $267,911.11.
When imposing sentencing, Highland County Common Pleas Court Judge Rocky Coss told Blaine, "Your remorse is eloquent, but it is far from sincere."
In August, Blaine pleaded guilty to one count of forgery, a felony of the fifth degree, and aggravated theft, a felony of the third degree. The theft charge alleged that Blaine had stolen more than $100,000 from the Good Shepherd Church in Greenfield. The remaining charges on the 17-count indictment filed in May were dismissed. The state has recommended three years in prison, with restitution between $200,000 to $250,000. Blaine resigned from the Good Shepherd Church in Sept. 2009.
The Highland Prosecutor's Office called Det. Danny Croy from the Highland County Sheriff's Office to testify on the financial information that his office collected as evidence in their investigation into Blaine. Croy testified that Blaine opened loans in the church's name, forged signatures and collected funds on behalf of the church and applied them to his own personal use.
Good Shepherd Church Member Lanny Bryant read a statement on behalf of the church, saying that the church wanted Blaine to stand up "like a man" and admit that what he did was wrong.
The state presented letters to the court that showed Blaine had written letters to members of the community stating that he was not a thief, that he did nothing wrong, and that he only pleaded guilty to avoid a lengthy prison sentence.
Blaine stated that he was still a pastor, despite being stripped of his sanctioned credentials, and that he had done good work in the community and helped build up the church, physically, financially and spiritually. He said that his dedication to the church led him to make poor financial decisions and that he is truly sorry. He said this has been one of the worst years of his life, a time when he lost his job, his mother and almost lost his home. He noted that his father is currently in the hospital.
Blaine asked that Coss sentence him to community control, but if he felt that incarceration was necessary to defer reporting to Nov. 1.
Coss told Blaine that he kept speaking about his good works, but, that he would paraphrase the word of God, saying, "Your good works won't get you into heaven."
Check back to Highland County Press later today for additional information on this story.
Former Good Shepherd Church Pastor Jim Blaine was sentenced to nearly five years in prison Friday - one month shy of the maximum - for stealing funds from the church. A church member who spoke at the sentencing hearing said that Blaine stole money that was given to God.
Blaine was also ordered to pay restitution to the church in the amount of $267,911.11.
When imposing sentencing, Highland County Common Pleas Court Judge Rocky Coss told Blaine, "Your remorse is eloquent, but it is far from sincere."
In August, Blaine pleaded guilty to one count of forgery, a felony of the fifth degree, and aggravated theft, a felony of the third degree. The theft charge alleged that Blaine had stolen more than $100,000 from the Good Shepherd Church in Greenfield. The remaining charges on the 17-count indictment filed in May were dismissed. The state has recommended three years in prison, with restitution between $200,000 to $250,000. Blaine resigned from the Good Shepherd Church in Sept. 2009.
The Highland Prosecutor's Office called Det. Danny Croy from the Highland County Sheriff's Office to testify on the financial information that his office collected as evidence in their investigation into Blaine. Croy testified that Blaine opened loans in the church's name, forged signatures and collected funds on behalf of the church and applied them to his own personal use.
Good Shepherd Church Member Lanny Bryant read a statement on behalf of the church, saying that the church wanted Blaine to stand up "like a man" and admit that what he did was wrong.
The state presented letters to the court that showed Blaine had written letters to members of the community stating that he was not a thief, that he did nothing wrong, and that he only pleaded guilty to avoid a lengthy prison sentence.
Blaine stated that he was still a pastor, despite being stripped of his sanctioned credentials, and that he had done good work in the community and helped build up the church, physically, financially and spiritually. He said that his dedication to the church led him to make poor financial decisions and that he is truly sorry. He said this has been one of the worst years of his life, a time when he lost his job, his mother and almost lost his home. He noted that his father is currently in the hospital.
Blaine asked that Coss sentence him to community control, but if he felt that incarceration was necessary to defer reporting to Nov. 1.
"You pleaded guilty to theft," Coss said. "In the eyes of the law, you are a thief. I don't think you see yourself as a thief. I think you see yourself as a victim."
"You pleaded guilty to theft," Coss said. "In the eyes of the law, you are a thief. I don't think you see yourself as a thief. I think you see yourself as a victim."
Coss told Blaine that he kept speaking about his good works, but, that he would paraphrase the word of God, saying, "Your good works won't get you into heaven."
Blaine was taken into custody by the Highland County Sheriff's Office.
Blaine was taken into custody by the Highland County Sheriff's Office.