A former Centralia church worship minister has been sentenced to 14 years in prison after violating the terms of his probation on child pornography convictions.
41-year-old Ian Maphet, formerly of Calumet Street Christian Church, appeared in Marion County Court after admitting to allegations contained in a petition to revoke his probation. Prosecutors said Maphet violated the conditions of his sentence by using the internet to access two dating websites. Under the terms of his probation, internet use was limited to seeking employment.
Judge Ericka Sanders sentenced Maphet to seven years in prison on each of two child pornography counts, ordering the sentences to be served consecutively for a total of 14 years. She also imposed five-year sentences on three additional child pornography convictions. Those terms will run concurrently with each other and with the 14-year sentence.
Maphet will be required to serve one year of mandatory supervised release following his prison term. He also received credit for 61 days already served in the Marion County Jail.
During the sentencing hearing, both Maphet and his mother addressed the court. Maphet told the judge he had learned a great deal while on probation and was working to become a better person.
When originally sentencing Maphet to probation, Judge Mark Kelley warned that any violation would likely result in a prison sentence.
Maphet was arrested in October 2023 following an investigation by the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force into child pornography activity in the Centralia area. He was later terminated from his position at Calumet Street Christian Church after church officials reviewed evidence gathered during the investigation with Illinois State Police.