Man sentenced for taking student funds

HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) - A former Hampton University student was sentenced Thursday to 33 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for participating in a scheme to steal students' spring break funds, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Christopher Ryan Thomas, 24, of Sugarland, Texas, was made to pay $230,1134.76 in restitution alongside his prison sentence.

Court documents show that Thomas established a travel business called Christopher Ryan Thomas, Inc., which he used to schedule and plan vacation trips for students and others.

As a member of the Student Government Association at Hampton University, he was selected as a travel agent to plan the senior class trip to Sunset Beach Resort and Spa in Jamaica. Students were to pay $1,000 for an all-inclusive vacation, which he then collected.

Records show Thomas deposited about $240,000 into his account over the course of seven months, most of which was spring break trip funds from HU students.