A southeast Iowa con artist who tricked his victims into giving him thousands of dollars was sentenced Tuesday.

Roger Lee Manning, 65, was ordered to serve ten years on two felony counts of first-degree theft.

Manning is accused of posing as a millionaire patron of the arts to gain trust in the community. He used that trust to pass bad checks worth more than $25,000.

He was arrested and charged with felony theft in early 2020. Manning posted bond and fled to California, where he attempted similar scams. Jefferson County Attorney Chauncey Moulding said several tips from concerned citizens helped lead to an arrest in September 2021.

"The assistance of the public in tracking down Mr. Manning while he was a fugitive from justice committing additional criminal acts in California was critical in securing his return to Iowa to face justice," Moulding said. "The county attorney's office greatly appreciates all the calls and emails from concerned citizens relating to Mr. Manning, which eventually led to his capture and incarceration."

Manning was sentenced Tuesday to ten years on each count. The two sentences will run concurrently.