Infignos Media - Matt Pitt released from jail in Shelby County

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Matt Pitt released from jail in Shelby County

Sunday, April 13, 2014

A local evangelist serving time for impersonating a peace officer was released from the Shelby County Jail Sunday morning.

Matt Pitt was greeted by a group of supporters. Many of the them members of The Basement, a youth ministry group led by Pitt. Brian Ritchey, Pitt's attorney, says his client was elated to walk out of jail.

Pitt was arrested in August of 2013 by Birmingham police in connection to an incident where he allegedly claimed to be a Jefferson County Sheriff's deputy. The evangelist was on probation in connection to an earlier charge for impersonating a peace officer in May of 2012 in Shelby County. Pitt eventually pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. He received a 12-month suspended sentence and was placed on unsupervised probation for 2 years. The new charges in Jefferson County were considered a violation of his probation and Pitt was forced to serve his 1-year suspended sentence.

Ritchey says his client's good behavior while behind bars earned him credit and is the reason for his early release. Pitt's sentence could have kept him in jail through August.

"A lot of people could have sat in jail and languished but that's not what he did. He spent his time doing what he does best, using his unique ability to preach to young people. He has been able to make an impact and change people's lives inside the jail, "commented Ritchie outside the Shelby County Jail Sunday morning.

When Pitt was released he did not address the media. His lawyer spoke on his behalf.

"He's not going to talk to the press for the next couple of weeks. He's going to spend some time with his family and take a vacation with his wife."

The early release is a victory for Pitt and his team of supporters, but Ritchey says his client is not in the clear yet.

"He still has a pending charge in Jefferson County and we're ready. If the DA decides to pursue it and get the indictment, we're ready to clear his name." That charge is for allegedly impersonating a police officer. Ritchey says it is a felony, and if convicted, Pitt could face more jail time.

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Keywords: impersonating a peace officer ,Shelby County Jail ,Matt Pitt ,The Basement,youth ministry group ,

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