Justice served: Cody Vance gets five years for stealing from Fairdealing church

Ripley County Prosecuting Attorney, Matt Michel, announced today that Cody Vance, 34, of Naylor was sentenced to five years to serve in the Missouri Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to Burglary in the Second Degree and a felony Stealing from a church on Dec.17.

According to the Ripley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Vance plead guilty to the two class D felonies of Burglary in the Second Degree and Stealing which occurred during the early morning hours of August 7, 2024, at the Pilgrim’s Rest Church in Fairdealing.

At the time of the guilty plea, Vance admitted to entering, unlawfully, into the church and stealing more than $1,500.00 worth of tools.

During the investigation, the Highway Patrol’s Criminal Investigation Unit made contact with Vance and he confessed to the burglary. Thanks to their quick action, the majority of the stolen property was recovered.

During the sentencing hearing, the Honorable Circuit Judge Kacey Proctor listened to arguments from the prosecution and the defense and took into consideration information contained within the Sentencing Assessment Report (SAR) prepared by Probation and Parole.

After arguments concluded, Judge Proctor handed down the sentence.