Just weeks after receiving a 9 1/2-year sentence in Federal Court for taking part in a murder-for-hire, Douglas Eugene Martin, of Jemison, received a 15-year sentence in a state court for being in possession of stolen property.

The former owner of Gene Martin Auto Sales in Jemison pled guilty Thursday to the charge of first degree receiving stolen property.

According to a release from District Attorney Randall Houston’s office, Martin admitted to intentionally being in possession of a 2006 Ford F-350 that he had “reasonable grounds to believe” was stolen and had no intent to return the property to its rightful owner.

Martin appeared before Circuit Court Judge John Bush Thursday, where he was sentenced to 15 years in jail. He will serve the sentence concurrently with the 9 1/2-year sentence he received in Federal Court.

“We are extremely pleased that the biggest con-man in Chilton County is again behind bars where he belongs,” Houston said in the release. “While the sheriff’s department, Alabama Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Attorney’s office and other agencies spent many man hours in bringing these charges against Martin, their time and efforts were rewarded with a substantial sentence, which will keep him incarcerated for a long time.”

Chilton County Sheriff Kevin Davis was also pleased with Thursday’s sentencing and the work of the many departments involved.

“There were numerous agencies involved, and every one of them played a key role,” Davis said. “I just want to thank everyone who assisted in the investigation and prosecution of this case from top to bottom.”