Louisville pastor Virgil Mozee was sentenced to five years in prison Monday after pleading guilty to six counts of theft and fraud.

The charges stem from a crime spree last September, during which the 65-year-old and his co-defendant, Nathaniel Porter III, were captured on surveillance stealing wallets from older shoppers.

The pair later racked up thousands of dollars on stolen credit cards.

Mozee’s attorney tried to request probation, which the judge quickly denied, citing his criminal history.

“Mr. Mozee, you have nine felony convictions all on the same kinds of charges,” said Jefferson Circuit Judge Annie O’Connell. “The court finds there is a substantial likelihood that you would commit another offense if granted probation.”

Mozee’s lawyer described his repeated felony offenses, including charges in state and federal court, as “bad habits.” We also learned he has since relocated to Florida.

“He has shed himself of any kind of peer association and started life anew, literally hundreds of miles away from any persons he was hanging out with,” said Justin Brown.

Prosecutors argued that distance does not erase the evidence in the case.

The lead detective testified Monday, presenting Mozee’s police interview after his arrest and still images of his truck, which was used in the crimes and captured on Flock cameras.

The vehicle, seized by Louisville police for their investigation, became a focal point during the sentencing hearing. In an unexpected and ironic moment in court, the defense argued that authorities were stealing from Mozee.

“What they want to do is take something that’s going to be the most painful hit to him monetarily wise in his pockets, taken from him as a citizen,” the defense said.

Prosecutors responded, saying they actually seized two of Mozee’s cars and returned a Camaro because it was primarily used by his wife.

“That’s ultimately not the point though,” said Jonathan Lynn, assistant commonwealth’s attorney.

The state says Mozee and his co-defendant senselessly targeted the most vulnerable for monetary gain.

While Mozee admitted his guilt, Porter chose to take his case to trial in January.

Mozee has a 3 p.m. deadline on Oct. 5 to turn himself him.

We also learned in court that he has a hearing in Indiana for a similar case the same day.

Originally published on Black Christian News.