A Minot man has been sentenced to more than a year in prison after pleading guilty to stealing funds earmarked for his disabled brother.

John M. Look, 52, was ordered to spend 13 months behind bars and to pay restitution of more than $100,000.

Following the death of their mother in 2008, Look became the conservator and legal guardian of his brother, who had suffered a brain injury in a motorcycle accident as a teenager, according to a Cumberland County Superior Court prosecutor.

Due to his injuries, Look’s brother lives in a treatment facility and receives federal and state benefits. According to court officials, Look’s mother left a life insurance policy for the benefit of Look’s brother. The policy paid out to a trust in Look’s brother’s name in September 2011 and February 2012.

Between September 2011 and October 2012, according to court records, Look deposited money from this trust into his checking account for personal use. Upon discovery of this unreported income in the fall of 2012, benefits were halted to Look’s brother and as a result, payments to the residential treatment facility were not made.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services investigated and the case was handled by Maine Assistant Attorney General Carrie Carney.

Look pleaded guilty to one count of theft and one count of misuse of entrusted property on April 29 and was sentenced the same day.

On the felony charge of theft, Look received a sentence of six years, all but 13 months suspended, and three years of probation. Look received a six-month concurrent sentence on the misdemeanor misuse of entrusted property.

Both convictions are attached to a condition that Look pay $133,000 in restitution to his brother. Look will begin serving his sentence 60 days from the date of sentencing, court officials said.

“When anyone is granted the power and authority to serve as the legal guardian of another person, they take on great responsibility to act in the best interest of that person,” Maine Attorney General Janet Mills said. “Having access to the finances of someone who cannot make decisions for themselves does not give you the right to spend that money as you please, let alone to use it to line your own pockets.

“We will defend those who cannot defend themselves from anyone who will take advantage of a disability to steal,” Mills added. “Cases like this one are very difficult, but very important.”