Former Champaign church pastor gets 10 months for bankruptcy fraud, misusing federal funds
Apr. 10—URBANA — A former Champaign church pastor has been sentenced to 10 months in prison after admitting to bankruptcy fraud and misusing more than $50,000 in federal funds and student loans to finance a gambling habit.
The Rev. Lekevie Johnson was sentenced Monday by U.S. District Judge Michael Mihm in federal court in Urbana.
Mihm ordered Johnson to surrender himself to a prison yet to be determined on June 6, and said he would recommend a prison near the Dallas, Texas, area, as requested by Johnson.
Johnson was also ordered to pay $59,358 in restitution to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and U.S. Department of Education.
After he is released from prison, he will be subject to three years of supervised release that will include such conditions as refraining from gambling, participating in mental-health counseling and undergoing treatment for his gambling addiction.
In a statement before he was sentenced, Johnson said, "I have blamed no one but myself for my self-inflicted situation."
Johnson resigned as pastor of Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in November.
He pleaded guilty the next month to a three-count complaint charging him with federal program misapplication, student-loan misapplication and making a false statement in his bankruptcy case.
He has been permitted since his guilty plea to remain free on a recognizance bond without conditions.
