Crime & Safety

Warrant After Homeless Vet Skips Court Date In GoFundMe Case

Johnny Bobbitt Jr. skipped a court appearance in the alleged $400,000 GoFundMe case Tuesday, according to reports.

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ - A warrant has been issued for the arrest of the homeless Philadelphia veteran who was implicated in an alleged $400,000 GoFundMe scam after he reportedly failed to appear in court on Tuesday.

A warrant has been issued for Johnny Bobbitt Jr. after he failed to appear in court in Burlington County on Tuesday, CBS 3 reports. As a condition of his release, he was required to stay sober and visit Narcotics Anonymous three times a week. He must also report to the court system once a week.

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.

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The stated goal of the fundraiser was to help Bobbitt get back on his feet after he struggled with addiction for years. Prior to his previous court appearance, he applied for a pre-trial intervention program in order to avoid prosecution.

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.

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But he has failed to show that he entered into a drug rehab program or found a place to live, according to NBC 10. 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.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Bobbitt is asked to call 609-265-5035.

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