One of the eight men arrested in a sex sting operation conducted by the Boyle County Sheriff’s Office in 2017 has been sentenced on an amended charge.

Shane Michael Cruse, 47, of Columbus, Mississippi, pleaded guilty on Feb. 5 to third-degree criminal attempt to commit an unlawful transaction with a minor, amended down from the original charge of unlawful use of electronic means to induce a minor to engage in sexual or other prohibited activities.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Ritchie Bottoms recommended a sentence of 30 days in the county jail. Final sentencing will be June 4.

Cruse owned two restaurants and was lead pastor at Restoration Life Church in Vernon, Alabama, when he was first arrested, according to the Clarion Ledger.

Several hand-written letters to District Court Judge Darren Peckler in support of Cruse are included in his case file. One person wrote that Cruse “provided many jobs in his restaurant and if I needed a meal and no ready cash, he said, ‘Don’t worry, it’s OK.’”

Someone else wrote, “I believe the devil has launched an attack on Shane’s ministry through this situation.”

A third person wrote, “Despite the current case against Michael, I believe him to be a person of good character and a valuable member of our church, our community and my life.”

Other men arrested during the same sex sting operation were sentenced earlier and include:

• Hubert Carter, 53, Ennis, Texas: prohibited use of electronic communication system to procure minor for sex offense, amended to attempt prohibited use of electronic communication system to procure minor/for sex offense — 12 months, credit for 62 days served, to begin serving balance of sentence on June 27;

• Shawn Williams, 40, prohibited use of electronic communication system to procure minor for sex offense, amended to attempt prohibited use of electronic communication system to procure minor/for sex offense — 12 months, credit for 45 days served, remaining time probated two years and to receive counseling or treatment; and

• Dequan Brown of Lebanon, prohibited use of electronic communication system to procure minor for sex offense, amended to attempt prohibited use of electronic communication system to procure minor/for sex offense — 12 months, credit for 135 days served, remaining time probated two years.

Mark Shelton of Stanford, Paul Hilpp of Lebanon and Joseph Brown of Danville had their charges from the operation dismissed.

Justin Jones of Stanford still has an active warrant out for his arrest.