Missouri man sentenced in church burglaries

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. -- An Independence man was sentenced Monday to seven years in prison for burglarizing several churches in Jackson County.

Jeffrey A. Richardson, 47, pleaded guilty in July to five counts of second-degree burglary and one count of second-degree arson.

Richardson acknowledged he was responsible for 27 church burglaries in Blue Springs, Independence, Lee's Summit and Kansas City, according to court documents.

He also admitted that while burglarizing Colonial Hills Community of Christ Church in Blue Springs, he left a lighted candle that eventually set the church on fire, according to court documents.

Police said Richardson got into most churches by using a rock to break windows. He often came away with little money.

Church officials said money is rarely left in the buildings.

Richardson stole from the churches to support his gambling habit, according to a court affidavit.