WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and SportsUPDATE: Necedah cult leader sentenced to prison

UPDATE: Necedah cult leader sentenced to prison

MAUSTON (WKOW) -- It's two years in prison for the leader of a religious order charged with hiding the body of an elderly follower on a toilet for weeks.

A Juneau County judge handed the sentence down to 59-year-old Alan Bushey on Wednesday. Juneau County District Attorney Scott Southworth says Bushey kept 90-year-old Magdeline Alvina MIddlesworth in Tammy Lewis' bathroom so he could keep collecting her Social Security payments.

Judge John Roemer says Bushey's actions had a negative effect on Lewis' two young children. He also said Bushey denied Middlesworth a proper burial.

Bushey was also sentenced to three years of extended supervision.

Southworth had asked for a four year prison sentence. Bushey's attorney says Bushey believed God would bring Middlesworth back from the dead and asked for three years of probation.

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MAUSTON (WKOW) -- Prosecutors recommended four years in prison for the leader of a religious order accused of hiding the body of an elderly follower on a toilet for weeks.

Juneau County District Attorney Scott Southworth says 59-year-old Alan Bushey kept 90-year-old Magdeline Alvina Middlesworth in Tammy Lewis' bathroom for two months so he could keep collecting her Social Security checks. On Wednesday in court, he called Bushey "warped."

Bushey's attorney Thomas Steinman says Bushey honestly believed God would bring Middlesworth back from the dead. He suggested Bushey get three years probation.

Juneau County judge John Roemer will decide on a sentence later Wednesday.

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MAUSTON (WKOW) -- A self-proclaimed religious leader accused of helping a follower hide a corpse on her toilet is due to be sentenced Wednesday.

In February, 59-year-old Alan Bushey of Necedah pleaded no contest to one count of being party to hiding a corpse.

Prosecutors say Bushey and his follower in the Order of the Divine Will, Tammy Lewis, kept the decaying body of 90-year-old Alvina Middlesworth on Lewis' toilet, in order to continue collecting her Social Security payments.

Middlesworth was another member of their group. District Attorney Scott Southworth has described the sect as a cult. 

Bushey faces up to 10 years in prison and $25,000 in fines.