James Forrest Chapman, 45122 Hull Road, Van Buren Township, was sentenced by 34th District Court Judge David Parrott to 183 days in jail and taken into custody on March 17 to begin serving his time.
Judge Parrott ordered there to be no early release and that Chapman, 55, must contact the court when he is released.
On Jan. 16, after an hour of deliberation, a 34th District Court jury found Chapman guilty of trespassing, malicious destruction of property, and larceny under $200. That incident occurred on Sept. 15. The sentence for that was 93 days.
Judge Parrott ordered an additional 90 days added to the sentence because Chapman violated the court’s conditional bond. Chapman was out on $5,000 personal bond with conditions.
Judge Parrott had ordered him to have no contact with the property involved in the trespassing and that the violation on Oct. 12 was essentially contempt of court.
Judge Parrott said Chapman’s permission to be on the property on the south side of Hull Road had been revoked. Chapman cut the lock or chain on the gate and then went off with the chain, claiming the chain was his. The larceny involved his retaining of the lock after he was asked to return it by one of the VBT police officers.
The second trespassing involved a large wooden Christian cross on the same property that had been taken down. Chapman went with Nicolas Jones to retrieve the cross, which appeared to be made out of railroad ties and had been illuminated.
A photo of the cross lying on the ground was taken by police and was a part of the court record.
This was in the cornfield immediately to the west of 44975 Hull Road.
Chapman said that the cross held “biblical and sentimental value to him” and that’s why he wanted it back.
Chapman’s defense attorney was John Day.
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I have known this man for many long years. He is a con, liar, thief, and a bully. Far from being a Christian as he claims. People like him do not change. He is a real fast talker and manipulates innocent and kind people only to use and take advantage of. He is banned from several businesses and local’s need to wise up if you have any dealings with this man, he’s a user. People forget the reason why he was in prison for over 10 years! A person like him will never change, just get’s better at his acting skills.
They should lock him up and throw away the the key. Chapman is a bully and a menace to society. He thinks he can just do whatever he wants and get away with it.
This man is troubled and I want to make this clear, he is dangerous. I love his willingness to speak about Christ, but not the way he lives it. Christ says to love your neighbor as yourself, and unfortunately if u don’t love yourself, you can’t love other people. I refuse to say that Christ can’t work in this mans life, but he has to make the decision to actually let him change it rather than abusing grace saying, “I’m forgiven so I can do whatever I want.” Grace is messy and God’s grace does cover these choices, but Because of what God has done for us, we are to live lives glorifying him. I genuinely hope and pray he really finds the peace and love of God.
As a concerned citizen this man needs major help. He is not mentally stable and is very crazy. Hope he gets the help he needs before he harms someone.
Found out currently has 2 PPO’s (Personal Protection Orders) against him, been living in a garage for five years and lives off the government. He helps established Tree Cutting business’s for cash under the table. He will come alone to stranger’s doors asking to help them cut down their tree’s. I would be hesitant in hiring this man who is known to have a drinking and drug problem on top of his mental/anger/theft issues. Belleville is a nice little town and he gives a bad example to the rest of our town that has to deal with him. Hope he get’s the help he needs.
I don’t understand how a person can cruise around town that has a suspended licence for years and keep getting away with it like Chapman. People are beginning to think that the VanBuren Police & Belleville Police are just tired of dealing with him and just allow it or are afraid of him too. He drives an older rust colored van with large side windows on the side. He is dangerous and very violent and that is why most people fear him. Good for you Judge Parrott who finally put the hammer down!!! According to Jimmi (James) Chapman he tells everyone in town Judge Tina Brooks and Judge Brian Oakley “go easy” on him because they know his mother was once a judge and attorney and both parents died while Chapman was in prison. Thanks Judge Parrott for thinking of us residents out here that have to tolerate his wrongful actions. You’ll always have my vote! In my dealings with Mr. Chapman is a very intimated and revengeful person. Many people fear standing up to him or reporting him because of repercussions. James is really smart but doesn’t use it for goodness or use his brains to be make any good contribution to society.
Don’t worry, Jimmy will be out in about 90 Days on good behavior.
Wow, what a group of hypocrites. “concerned citizen” If you people were really concerned you get up off your high horses and soap boxes and act like real Christians and try to offer help. You have not walked in this man’s shoes or know his story, the whole story! Families are never as they appear and childhood demons can follow people through an entire life. I would venture to say that you people have not picked up a phone to help someone like him try to find the help he needs and surely can not afford. Imagine the horrors of never having peace in your life, only demons! I am happy that I no longer live in your “nice little town”. Shame on all of you!! Prayers work better if you help Jesus along the way, which clearly none of you are probably willing to do.