Former Liberty County law enforcement officer and Long County resident Weyman Chapman has been given 11 years to pay off thousands of dollars he owes for the theft of county and privately owned heavy equipment that was discovered at his residence.
Chapman accepted a plea in a McIntosh courtroom Aug. 27 on several charges of theft by taking. He was sentenced to 20 years — seven years behind bars and 13 on probation.
He was back in court Sept. 24 for a restitution hearing and, based on paperwork filed in the Clerk of County Courts office, he must pay about $66,000 in restitution.
According to court documents, he owes the city of Walthourville $1,000 and the Liberty County Board of County Commissioners, $500 for money they each paid out to cover the deductible on the insurance claims filed for the stolen items.
Chapman also owes Traveler’s Insurance Company $49,128.63 for their pay out on the claim of the stolen backhoe. He owes $10,000 to Underground Excavating for equipment and owes Douglas Asphalt $3,060. Brewton Parker College is due to receive $2,000 in restitution as well.
There were several other claimants who failed to answer the subpoena. Those claims were closed out and no restitution ordered.
Had they appeared in court, the restitution could have reached the $100,000 range.