Judge Sentences Repeat Offender to Church

An Iowa man who has been arrested more than 60 times since he turned 14 received an unorthodox demand earlier this month from the legal system: get right with God.

The Quad-Cities Online reported that Pachino Hill, 29, of Davenport, Iowa, must attend church at the city’s Third Missionary Baptist Church for eight consecutive weekends. Easter Sunday marked the first required service.

In addition to the attendance requirement, Scott County Associate Court Judge Christine Dalton is making Hill complete the church’s counseling program for men.

Last month, a jury convicted Hill for driving while barred, eluding law enforcement, interfering with official acts and failure to obey a traffic control device – all the result of a police chase. It’s the latest in Hill’s lengthy rap sheet that includes numerous traffic violations, domestic violence, drug possession and attempted murder.

Rogers Kirk, pastor at Third Missionary Baptist Church, will oversee Hill’s counseling program, which was initially suggested by Hill’s attorney, Brenda Drew-Peeples.

“I believe God has a plan for Pachino Hill’s life, and I believe it’s coming to fruition,” Drew-Peeples told the Quad-City Times.