San Diego
The son of television evangelist Morris Cerullo was placed on three years’ probation Friday for attempting to steal an air conditioner from a Sports Arena-area store.
Mark Cerullo, 33, of San Diego, was given credit for 31 days previously spent in County Jail, and no further jail time was ordered by San Diego Superior Court Judge Jesus Rodriguez.
Cerullo pleaded guilty Dec. 19 to grand theft, a felony, rather than face a retrial on the same charge.
A jury acquitted Cerullo Dec. 10 of burglary in the same July 29 incident at a Home Depot store, but deadlocked 9-3 for acquittal on the grand theft charge.
Cerullo is the youngest son of the evangelist who last month bought the bankrupt PTL retreat, Heritage U.S.A., previously owned by the Rev. Jim Bakker. Bakker is serving a 45-year federal prison term for defrauding investors in the park.
Mark Cerullo was fined $400 by Rodriguez, who ordered that a review of the sentence and Cerullo’s progress be held on March 19.
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