Former Child Star Lance Kerwin Faces Music for Food Stamp Scam

By PopEater / Wire Services Posted Jul 28th 2010 12:19PM

Teen heartthrob-turned-pastor Lance Kerwin has been placed on five years probation in Hawaii after admitting to falsifying documents to obtain state medical assistance and food stamps despite owning multiple homes.

Kerwin, who played the title role in 'James at 15' on NBC in the late 1970s, 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.

Defense attorney Craig De Costa says when Kerwin, 49, 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.

2010 AOL LLC. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

Tags: Lance Kerwin

Comments

(62)

Wednesday 28 July

By Leila

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

So, another so-called "Christian" cheating the system. Unfortunately, so many times it's nothing but an act.

By Mik

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I think his born again! yeah he should have never been a child actor

By Patricia

I am just glad those "christians" are not catholic mexicans...

By RJA

buncha of biggotts.... have you ever done anything wrong before? and by the way where does it say Christian in this story? you all are probably the same bunch of kronies that let illegal immigrants in, let babies die from abortion, and steal from the rich to give to the poor.... biggotts

By Rachelvis

talk about lame,,,get your story straight before telling us what a bad boy lance is..."The show was "James at 16" and anything you have to say about Lance ..you pathetic leeches..save it for somebody who really gives a damn,,because I sure don't..

You young paps are trying to dismantle the teens from the 70's that we watched, and loved their shows...and James at 16 was no different ..just one thing different ,,,he never bothered anyone,,nor was seen at these hollywood parites etc...ec...so leave him alone and find paris or britney somewhere, sitting around trying to get attention

By gchad2003

Vote down Vote up Report this

I'm sure you've never done anything similar, like maybe cheat on your taxes, steal from a local store, or anything else, right? "Those Christians?" I guess you are better - hypocrite.

Thursday 29 July

By themeeker

Rachelvis, before you get too indignant, the show was originally called "James at 15" but as he aged, they changed it to "James at 16", so give it a rest.

Look it up if you don't believe me, but then stfu.

By diane

Wasn't he in Salem's Lot?

By kalifani6

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Yep...thazz him.

By Sandbur

Another of those illiterate so-called Christians that have conveniently omitted "Thou shalt not steal" from their bible. What else has he omitted?

By catquick

Most likely the same things you did.

By Linda K

Yes, he was in Salems Lot. This is so sad for me. I had such a huge crush on him when I was a child and so did some of my friends.I hope things turn out okay.

By iroxaroni

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

He also played a teen bedwetter in an after-school movie, didn't he??

By jaynay

They will. He seems truely sorry for what he did, and he seems level headed enough to learn from this mistake he made, and move on, doing good for himself and people. He'll be fine.

By Rocky

There's a lot of "funny business" that goes on in Hawaii. Used to be a way cool place, now, just scammers, druggies and liberals.

By Dan

Hey Rocky, did you ever think of having that medical problem of your's fixed? I'm sure there's plenty of doctors out there that will help you pull your head out of your arse.

By hey

he is so sorry , just a lot of bull. heis only sorry he was caught like all the rest of the crooks

By Jason

The poll question need to be change to "Who makes you gay out?"

Stupid, much??

So who was your answer?

Page 1 of 4