John Johnston, a 65-year-old retired priest who lives in Jackson Heights, was sentenced in State Supreme Court in Kew Gardens Wednesday to five years’ probation and required to pay $50,000 in restitution for stealing cash from a Roman Catholic church
He had pleaded guilty early to the theft as part of a plea deal negotiated with the Queens district attorney’s office.
Johnston was charged in October with criminal possession of more than $80,000 that belonged to St. Martin of Tours in Bethpage, L.I., where he served as a priest, according to Queens DA Richard Brown ‘s office.
Authorities said Johnston had stolen the money from Sunday mass offertory baskets. He has since repaid the church $50,000, an amount arrived at by the clergy and the Queens DA.
He was also charged with criminal possession of a weapon in October, according to the district attorney’s office.
Under the plea deal, Judge Douglas Wong told Johnston he would have a permanent felony conviction on his record in return for the five-year probation period and restitution payment. He originally faced up to 15 years in prison for the charges, according to the district attorney’s office.
—James DeWeese
