Dulle charity thief headed to jail

LEBANON, Ohio (WDTN) - "I attempted to do something and I screwed it up.  It was not intentional and I'm facing my own penalties for it," says Ryan Hunt.

Hunt didn't offer any apologies as he spoke to reporters after being sentenced in Warren County Court Friday for taking money from a charity event in memory of his friend Sgt. Brian Dulle.  The Warren County Deputy was struck and killed in 2011 while deploying stop sticks.  Hunt, a former police officer, set up a golf fundraiser for his family.

Judge James Flannery noted that because of the plea deal struck plus the nature of the crimes, he could not send Hunt to prison.  Instead, he ordered Hunt to spend every weekend in jail until he reaches 90 days.

Hunt's attorney John Smith says good people can make mistakes.

"Maybe sometimes we don't have the pressures of life that other people have.  Everybody is different and Ryan was under a lot of pressures that are personal and the fact is that he did not want to let other people down," explains Smith.

No one from the Dulle family spoke at today's sentencing but prosecutors read a statement from them, saying it's not about the money but Brian's memory.

Hunt was also sentenced to 5 years probation, the repayment of $35,000 and 100 hours of community service.

In addition, he must complete a class on theft and can't participate in any fundraisers or have any contact with the Dulle family.