OTTAWA — Edward Fisher received 24 months of probation, or one month for every $1,250 he admits he stole from the Rantoul Community Church. During Fisher’s sentencing Monday afternoon, Judge Thomas Sachse said the state sentencing guidelines would only allow probation and no jail time for Fisher unless he violates his probation.
Members of the congregation wrote letters to Sachse asking that Fisher, the church’s former treasurer, not go to jail. Fisher was ordered to pay nearly $30,000 in restitution. However, Sachse said they objected to the amount of restitution of $29,937.69 set in a plea bargain deal. They said that Fisher actually stole about two times more over a 12-year period. However, the lesser figure is what could be proven in court, said Franklin County assistant county attorney William Hurst. Fisher pleaded guilty last month.
