Flanked by his attorney, not his flock, a former Huntersville pastor entered federal courthouse to learn his prison sentence Tuesday after embezzling money from his church and school.
Wade Malloy will soon begin serving a 1½ -year sentence. U.S. District Judge Max Cogburn ordered a lower sentence than federal guidelines in part because of Malloy's remorse and cooperation.
(Malloy)
Federal investigators brought charges against Malloy and former Southlake Christian Academy headmaster Wayne Parker after Southlake leadership discovered missing funds in 2014. A judge sentenced Parker earlier this year.
Melissa Owen, Malloy's attorney, pleaded for the lower sentence in part because of Malloy's remorse. She said he liquidated his 401(K) to give back to Southlake and also plans to donate a gun collection and automobile.
SouthLake Christian Academy investigation timeline:
- Oct. 16, 2014: Channel 9 reports that the pastor and headmaster have resigned
- Oct. 22, 2014: FBI joins the investigation into SouthLake Christian Academy
- July 23, 2016: Former headmaster, Wayne Parker, charged with embezzling $9 million from school and church
- July 27, 2016: Wayne Parker pleads guilty in embezzlement case
- Nov. 30, 2016: Wayne Parker sentenced to five years in prison
- Dec. 21, 2016: Former pastor, Wade Malloy, pleads guilty to embezzling from SouthLake Christian
"His remorse to his friends, to his community, is extraordinary," Owen said. "We believe that the judge heard that and understood that (Malloy) has done everything he can to redeem himself."
Malloy took time to apologize in front of the court Tuesday.
"I'm already in prison. I go to bed and wake up in the morning, and my first thoughts are of the people I have hurt," Malloy said.
Cogburn recommended that federal officials place Malloy in a low-security prison close to home. A date has not yet been set for when he would need to report.
Past coverage:
- Former Southlake Christian headmaster sentenced after embezzling $9 million
- Former headmaster charged with embezzling $9M from Southlake Christian
- FBI, Huntersville PD investigating SouthLake Christian embezzlement allegations
- Former Southlake Christian headmaster pleads guilty in embezzlement case
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