Tracy Shoffner, 56, of Columbia recently entered a guilty plea in Carteret County Superior Court to a charge arising out of fraud upon a church, District Attorney Scott Thomas announced.

Shoffner, who has a lengthy criminal record, was sentenced to 20 to 33 months in prison, and all restitution he owed to the church was entered as a civil judgment against him.

Following damage done by Hurricane Florence, Shoffner offered to conduct repairs on a church near Beaufort, and after providing what appeared to be a contract, the church administration paid him $7,500 to begin work.

As soon as Shoffner received the check, he ceased all communication with the church, which had used part of its insurance payments to pay him.

Resident Superior Court Judge Josh Willey presided over the case, which was prosecuted in court by Assistant District Attorney Ashley Eatmon.