Four years in prison is the sentence for a Mt. Carmel man charged with burglary for breaking into the Hope Fellowship Church last month. State’s Attorney Cassandra Goldman charged 22 year old Cole Stewart with the Class 1 felony burglary charge for breaking into the church at 1210 Landes Street on October 14th.

At the time, Police Chief Ryan Turner said Stewart was arrested following a traffic stop at which time a lock picking set and several knives were found. After the church burglary was discovered, evidence in the case led back to Stewart’s home where a computer, guitars, cash, and two briefcase stolen from the church were recovered. 

Stewart is presently on Parole through the Illinois Department of Corrections for a 2017 Burglary conviction out of Wabash County. After Stewart’s four year prison sentence, he’ll be on two years of parole after his release.