A former assistant pastor has been sentenced to two years in prison after stealing about $200,000 from a California congregation during the pandemic, while its founder was seriously ill.

Curtis Frank Lemons, 68, pleaded guilty to grand theft and money laundering earlier this year after authorities discovered he had written himself a cashier’s check from church funds, according to The Independent.

The money, taken from New Progressive Christian Baptist Church in Oxnard, was spent on travel, a new car, dental work, a home in Tennessee, and other personal expenses.

The theft occurred between January and April 2021, while the church’s founder, Rev. Jesse James Taylor, was dealing with serious health issues.

He passed away in August 2021 at the age of 87.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Howard Wise said, “This is a sad case. Mr. Lemons stole from a vulnerable victim at a vulnerable time. Mr. Lemons made a terrible decision but has accepted responsibility for his significant theft.”

In addition to his prison sentence, Lemons, who now lives in Tennessee, has been ordered to repay the full amount to the church.