Homeless Vet Enters Second Guilty Plea In $400K GoFundMe Scam

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ - For the second time this week, the homeless vet at the center of the alleged $400,000 GoFundMe scam has pleaded guilty in court.

Johnny Bobbitt Jr., 36, of Philadelphia, pleaded guilty to second-degree conspiracy to commit theft by deception on Friday, Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced.

In exchange for his plea he has been accepted into the Burlington County vicinage’s drug court program, authorities said.

He will be sentenced on April 12, at which time will be placed on special probation for a period of up to five years while he fulfills the requirements of the program.

He will receive an alternate sentence of five years in New Jersey state prison if he fails to comply with the conditions imposed in drug court, authorities said.

New Jersey’s drug court program is for non-violent offenders with moderate to severe substance abuse problems, and provides treatment instead of prison time for those who are eligible.

Drug court participants must meet all the requirements and goals of the program in order to graduate. These include obtaining employment, satisfying any court-ordered payment obligations and remaining drug-free for a year.

The guilty plea came two days he and 28-year-old Kate McClure, of Bordentown,pleaded guilty to charges in federal court.

Bobbitt pleaded guilty to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering in federal court. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.

McClure 28, of Bordentown, pleaded guilty to an information charging her with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. She faces a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for June 19.

McClure’s ex-boyfriend, Mark D’Amico, is the only one of the three charged with conspiracy and theft by deception who hasn’t pleaded guilty to any of the charges as of Friday. He remains innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The stated goal of the fundraiser was to help Bobbitt get back on his feet after he struggled with addiction for 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.

However, the fundraiser was allegedly based on fraud. The three stated that McClure broke down on I-95 while driving into Philadelphia in November 2017, and that Bobbitt used his last $20 to help her get gas.

It was later revealed that the three made up the story, according to authorities. They said it was based on a similar story involving Bobbitt in North Carolina five years earlier.

The three collected $400,000 from 14,000 donors over a matter of weeks. It all unraveled when Bobbitt accused the couple of spending the majority of the money on themselves.

Bobbitt filed a lawsuit, and it was soon revealed that McClure and D'Amico spent the majority of the money on themselves. They spent all but $25,000, which was set aside for Bobbitt.

All three were charged in November, about a year after the fundraiser was launched. GoFundMe has since refunded everyone who donated to the "Paying It Forward" campaign.

See related:
Homeless Vet To Be Held On Bench Warrant In GoFundMe Case: Cops
Warrant After Homeless Vet Skips Court Date In GoFundeMe Case
Hearing Delayed For Homeless Vet In Alleged $400K GoFundMe Scam
Homeless Vet Arrested After Skipping Court In GoFundMe Case: Cops
Homeless Vet In GoFundMe Scam Released From Jail
Proposed Law Inspired By Alleged $400K GoFundMe Scam
GoFundMe Refunds Donors Who Were Duped By Alleged $400K Scam
Secret Audio In GoFundMe Scam As Woman Says She Was 'Duped'
Man In $400K GoFundMe Scam Shifts Blame Toward Ex-Girlfriend
Woman Accused In $400K GoFundMe Scam Suspended From Job
Read The Unbelievable Text Messages Behind $400K GoFundMe Scam
Homeless Man Will Pay It Forward After Woman Raises $380K For Him
Homeless Vet Who Helped Woman Buys New Home With Money She Raised
Woman Raised $400K For Man, But Addiction Struggle Continues
NJ Man Is Back On Streets - Even Though $400K Was Raised
NJ Couple Must Surrender Some Of $400K Raised For Homeless Man
NJ Couple's $400K For Homeless Man's GoFundMe Is Gone: Attorney
GoFundMe Gives $20K To Homeless Vet, Probing NJ Couple's Role
BMW Hauled Away In Search At Alleged GoFundMe Scammers' Home
Homeless Vet To Get Rest Of GoFundMe $400K Raised By NJ Couple
Man Charged In GoFundMe Scheme Faces Jail Time On Warrants
Burlington County Couple Waives Appearance In $400K GoFundMe Case