A 16-year-old serial burglar who targeted Hutchinson churches has been ordered to apologize in person to the six congregations he victimized.

The apologies are part of the sentence imposed Friday by Reno County District Judge Tim Chambers against Joshua Hickey.

Prosecutors charged Hickey as an adult after he and three older defendants were arrested in August for a string of thefts and break-ins around Hutchinson from early April to late July. Hickey avoided trial by pleading guilty in October to 38 counts, including 19 felonies.

Investigators said Hickey broke into a half-dozen churches, hitting some of them twice.

Besides ordering the apologies, the judge also placed Hickey on two years’ probation. Violations could send him to jail.