(AP) — A federal judge has given a former employee of the Garden City prosecutor’s office a few extra weeks of freedom before he goes to prison for theft.

U.S. District Judge Monti Belot granted an unopposed defense request this week to stay the 16-month sentence of Pedro A. Castro until July 26. His attorney made the request so Castro could sign documents at the closing for the sale of his home.

Castro had been scheduled to report Tuesday to a federal prison in Mississippi.

His sentence also includes an order to pay nearly $52,000 in restitution.

Castro worked as a diversion coordinator for the Garden City prosecutor’s office from 2009 to 2012. In his plea deal, he admitted stealing diversion funds during his employment.