A man who pleaded guilty to stealing money from an offering plate during a local church service was given a maximum workhouse sentence on Tuesday afternoon.
General Sessions Court Judge Bob Moon sentenced James Arthur Foster to 11 months and 29 days after the plea to the misdemeanor charge of theft under $500.
The judge called it "a pretty egregious offense that literally shocks the conscience of the court. There are just some places that are sacred."
Foster, 20, of 315 Williams Dr., said he took the offering money from the Brainerd Hills Presbyterian Church after losing his job as a phone surveyor at Wilkins Research two days earlier.
He said, "I just needed some money so I could eat."
After questioning by Judge Moon, he admitted drug use, saying he had regularly used marijuana.
Judge Moon said, "This is a case about drugs, not food."
Foster said he lives with his girlfriend. He said she had a job at the time, but does not have one now. He said he has not gotten another job.
He said he chose Brainerd Hills Presbyterian because it was the closest church.
Church officers began chasing Foster after he grabbed the money and ran out on Dec. 10.
He was tracked to his residence, where police confronted him.
Officers said Foster pulled $30 in cash and a check made out to Brainerd Hills Presbyterian out of his pocket.
Foster told Judge Moon he did not want an attorney, but he seemed shocked when he got the maximum sentence.
He had told the judge, "I'm guilty. I did it."
Foster was taken into custody to begin serving the sentence.
He has no prior record, prosecutor Larry Ables said.