Homeless Vet In GoFundMe Scam Released From Jail

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ – Homeless veteran Johnny Bobbitt who was implicated in a GoFundMe scam with a New Jersey couple was released from jail Friday, according to officials.

A Burlington County judge ordered 35-year-old Bobbitt, of Philadelphia, to be released on bail pending his trial, according to the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office.

Bobbitt returned to New Jersey last week after he was sentenced to an additional 12 months of probation at a hearing in Philadelphia on Monday, Dec. 3.

Bobbitt, a Marine Corps veteran, applied for a pre-trial intervention program in order to avoid prosecution earlier this week.

The program is a diversionary program that permits non-violent first time offenders to avoid criminal prosecution. As part of the program, he would admit to some form of guilt, and would be subject to restitution.

Bobbitt, Kate McClure, 28, and Mark D'Amico, 39, have all been charged with conspiracy and theft by deception in the online fundraiser that raised more than $400,000 for Bobbitt. McClure and D'Amico previously surrendered in New Jersey, and are scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 24.

NBC reports with his release, Bobbitt will be under weekly monitoring and was ordered to attend Narcotics Anonymous meetings. He has also been permitted to return to Philadelphia, but will have to show proof that has a place to live.

Bobbitt's history of drug abuse has been well-documented publicly. He told The Philadelphia Inquirer earlier this year he's battled addiction for several years.

His addiction began when he was working as a medic in North Carolina, and he moved to Philadelphia with the intention of starting a new life. However, a job he had lined up fell through, and he soon found himself once again feeding his addiction and living on the streets.

Image via Burlington County Prosecutor's Office