Former ‘James at 15′ star Lance Kerwin sentenced after pleading guilty to second-degree theft

Former ‘James at 15′ star Lance Kerwin sentenced

LIHUE, Hawaii — Former child TV star Lance Kerwin has been placed on five years probation after pleading guilty to a theft charge.

Kerwin, who played the title role in “James at 15″ on NBC in the 1977-78 season, was given credit during last Thursday’s sentencing for 90 days served and ordered to perform 300 hours of community service for the second-degree theft charge.

Kauai County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Lauren McDowell says the 49-year-old Kerwin was caught falsifying documents to obtain state medical assistance and food stamps.

Defense attorney Craig De Costa says when Kerwin applied for the benefits, he omitted in the application that he owned three properties on the mainland.

Kerwin, a pastor at Calvary Chapel in Kapaa and a U-Turn for Christ program leader, said he has already paid $21,822 in restitution.

“I’m sorry,” Kerwin said before being sentenced. “The last thing I want to do is to make a statement to minimize what I have done.”

Kerwin said his actions affected the community, his fellow church members and his children, and added he hoped his punishment can have a positive effect in his life.

His wife, Yvonne Kerwin, 28, requested a deferred acceptance of her guilty plea for second-degree theft and two counts of unsworn falsification to authorities. She left court with a record that will remain clean if she stays out of trouble with the law. She will also have to pay crime victim compensation fees and complete 300 hours of community service.

Information from: The Garden Island, thegardenisland.com/