Former child TV star Lance Kerwin sentenced on Kauai

LIHUE, Kauai (AP) - Former child TV star Lance Kerwin has been placed on five years probation, given credit for 90 days served and ordered to perform 300 hours of community service. Kerwin, who played the title role in "James at 15" on NBC in the 1977-78 season, was sentenced Thursday after pleading guilty to second-degree theft.

Kauai County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Lauren McDowell says the 49-year-old Kerwin was caught falsifying documents to obtain state medical assistance and food stamps. Defense attorney Craig De Costa says when Kerwin applied for the benefits, he omitted in the application that he owned three properties in the mainland.

Kerwin says he has already paid $21,822 in restitution.

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