Ohio advocate for homeless pleads guilty to theft charge

CANTON, Ohio (AP) — A longtime advocate for the homeless in Ohio has pleaded guilty to stealing from the shelter he established.

Director David Martin of Canton’s Volunteer Rescue Mission pleaded guilty Wednesday to aggravated theft, attempted money laundering and charity fraud. The indictment said the fraud involved more than $100,000.

The 67-year-old Martin could get up to six years in prison at his sentencing July 7.

He has worked on homeless issues in Canton since 1965 and opened the Volunteer Rescue Mission in 1998.

Police started investigating last year after complaints about aggressive fundraising.