A judge in Cherokee County, Alabama has sentenced a Lyerly man to jail time for failing to pay restitution for a church arson that took place near Gaylesville, Alabama over 10 years ago. 

Last week 30 year old David Ratliff of Lyerly appeared before Cherokee County Circuit Court Judge Randall Cole.  Ratliff was brought before the judge for probation revocation for failure to pay restitution for the burning of Rock Hill Church. Judge Cole sentenced Ratliff to serve a period of 12 months, in the Cherokee County Detention Center.

Ratliff along with three others from Chattooga County, Georgia – who were all in their teens at the time, were convicted in the burning to the ground of Rock Hill Church in late 1998 – at the time of the arrests all four were charged with both Burglary and Arson, in connection with Rock Hill, and the Oak Bowery Church.

Ratliff pled guilty on October 15th of 2001, and was given two years to serve – receiving credit for time served prior to the plea (388 days).

All four individuals were required to pay in the making of restitution to the church as a condition of their sentencing – the total amount ordered, has still yet to be met.