Johnny Bobbitt, homeless man in GoFundMe scam, sentenced

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

Johnny Bobbitt, the homeless man who claimed he used his last $20 to help a woman who had run out of gas, and whose story turned out to be a lie, has been sentenced for his role in the GoFundMe scam that shook those who thought the story was real.

Bobbitt will not spend time behind bars, but instead was sentenced to five years' probation for conspiring with the woman he was said to have saved, Katelyn McClure, and her boyfriend at the time, Mark D'Amico, The Associated Press reported.

He will also have to pay restitution, WABC reported.

Bobbitt must meet certain conditions, including inpatient drug treatment and testifying against McClure and D’Amico, or he could be sentenced to spend five years in jail with no possibility of parole for at least 18 months.

>> Read more trending news

Bobbitt admitted to working with McClure and D'Amico in the GoFundMe scam to get money for all three people. The campaign raised more than $400,000 from more than 14,000 donors, all of whom have been repaid by GoFundMe, CBS News reported.

Prosecutors and law enforcement agencies investigated the scam once Bobbitt sued McClure and D'Amico for his cut of the money, which the couple had used to purchase a new car and expensive vacations, the AP reported.

Bobbitt pleaded guilty in March to conspiracy to commit theft by deception.

FILE - This November 2018 file combination of photos provided by the Burlington County Prosecutors office shows Johnny Bobbitt, left, Katelyn McClure and Mark D'Amico. On Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2018, GoFundMe says it has made refunds to everyone who contributed to a campaign involving homeless veteran Bobbitt who prosecutors allege schemed with a New Jersey couple, McClure and D'Amico, to scam donors out of $400,000.

Credit: Burlington County Prosecutors Office via AP, File

icon to expand image

Credit: Burlington County Prosecutors Office via AP, File

Both McClure and Bobbitt have pleaded guilty to other federal charges in the case, WABC reported. They will be sentenced later in the year for those charges, WPVI reported.

But McClure and D'Amico have pleaded not guilty to the state charges they face, according to WABC.

D'Amico is not facing federal charges, NBC News reported.

About the Author