Austin man who faked cancer gets 2 years for theft

BELTON, TX -- A Texan who faked having cancer to get donations has been sentenced to two years in state jail.

A judge in Belton on Monday sentenced 33-year-old Brian Jeffrey Bonniwell of Austin, who in June pleaded guilty to theft. Bonniwell, also known as Brian Fisher, was fined $1,000, must repay more than $1,500 and has to surrender his truck.

A "Battle for Brian" benefit was held last year in Killeen. Bonniwell received cash donations, plus free parts and labor on his vehicle.

Bonniwell in 2005 was sentenced to 10 years of probation in Travis County after being convicted of burglary.

He pleaded guilty last November to fabricating evidence for giving his probation officer a fake cancer treatment document. Bonniwell received five years in prison. His latest sentence must be served consecutively.

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