A man who stole from a Carbon County church while he served as its treasurer, was sentenced to a long probation term and ordered to make sizeable restitution to the church and a insurance company.

Kevin A. Hantz, 46, of Walnutport, was placed on probation for five years by Senior Judge Richard W. Webb and ordered to make resitution of $29,000 to St. John's Lutheran Church, in Lower Towamensing Township, and the Zurick Insurance Company for $71,976.18 which is paid for loss funds.However, the restitution ordered to the insurance company was disputed by defense Atty. Brian Collins and will probably be decided in a restitution hearing heard by Webb at a later date.Hantz previously admitted to stealing the money from the church when serving as its treasurer.Collins told the court that Hantz was under a considerable amount of family pressure when the funds were taken. He noted that Hantz has already paid $14,000 towards the $28,000 to the church.Collins told Webb the plea bargain was reached after many hours of negotiation with the district attorney's office and church officials. He claimed the amount ordered to be paid to the insurance company will be disputed because there are questions whether the amount is correct and also there is a question if some money allegedly taken was past the allowed statute of limiitations for recovery of such funds.Webb said he was told by the adult proabtion office that state law is clear that a court "shall" order resitution that is claimed by an insurance company. Webb added that he would permit Collins to challenge the ruling by presenting legal opinions to support his position. He also said he would also hold a restitution hearing so Collins can present any evidence he thinks can support his claim and the insurance company to support its claim.Hantz must also pay court costs and a $50 per month supervision fee while in probation.