An Alabama man was sentenced in Polk County Superior Court this week after he pleaded to forging numerous checks belonging to his grandfather.

David Eric Guice, of Centre, Ala., appeared before Superior Court Judge Michael Murphy June 26 to issue his plea on 12 counts of first-degree forgery.

Guice was already on probation for a previous offense when Cedartown police arrested him in January on allegations of stealing a checkbook from his grandfather, who lives in Cedartown.

According to prosecutors in court, Guice wrote 12 checks totaling $1,855. His defense attorney said, although that is true, the bank stopped about half of the forged checks before money was taken so the amount stolen was actually less.

Guice was sent to Coastal State Prison after his previous probation was revoked with the new charges pending. He will remain there for two years to fulfill his revoked probation.

Murphy, noting that Guice’s previous offense was drug-related, asked if he stole from his grandfather to support his drug habit.

Guice said yes and Murphy then strongly suggested that he participate in a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program available at the state prison during his remaining years there.

Murphy then sentenced Guice on the 12 new charges under the plea agreement recommendation from the district attorney’s office.

Guice will serve 10 years on probation, with each probation sentence for all 12 charges being served at the same time. There are several conditions including restitution of the $1,855 in bad checks to his grandfather, plus a $500 fine to the state for each of the 12 checks.

Guice must also submit to random drug testing.