AUBURN — A chiropractor who continued to treat patients for about a year after the state pulled his license in 2008 pleaded guilty Thursday to two misdemeanors and was sentenced to time served.

Ted Stokes, 53, of Greene pleaded guilty in Androscoggin County Superior Court to theft by deception and unlicensed practice. On the first count, he was sentenced to 364 days in jail with all but 22 days suspended, plus one year of probation.

On the second count, he was sentenced to 22 days to be served at the same time. He has served 22 days in jail since his arrest.

Stokes also was ordered to pay $14,339 in restitution. He owes $2,917 to MaineCare, $7,012 to Medicare and $4,410 to Anthem Blue Cross.

His attorney, Tom Goodwin, said Stokes had practiced as a licensed chiropractor in good standing until the state suspended his license for failure to pay child support. He continued to see patients and file claims with insurers. They continued to pay him. He just failed to tell them his license had been suspended, Goodwin told the judge.

In addition to the restitution, Stokes owes nearly $20,000 in child support payments, Assistant Attorney General Michael Miller said Thursday.

Goodwin said his client can’t practice as a chiropractor and can’t drive because the state revoked both licenses. Stokes’ ability to earn money to pay the restitution and child support are hampered by those circumstances, Goodwin said.

“It’s difficult for us to see how Mr. Stokes is going to be able to pay that off,” Goodwin said.

Stokes took the witness stand and was sworn in so that attorneys for both sides could quiz him about his assets.

Miller said Stokes could work to pay back what he owed.

Justice Robert Clifford said afterward that Stokes had “no present ability to pay,” but still owed the restitution.

On probation, Stokes was prohibited from practicing as a chiropractor unless he was properly licensed. He also must notify his probation officer if he earns or is given more than $500. And he must notify his probation officer if he gets a job.

“Practicing chiropractic without a license puts patients’ health and well-being at risk,” said Maine Attorney General Janet Mills.  “We will not permit any medical professional to practice without a license and then bill the state or health insurers for their services.”

An investigator with the licensing board said he told Stokes in December 2008 that he couldn’t continue to practice with a revoked license.

A friend and former patient of Stokes told authorities that he continued practicing into December and was getting paid in cash, according to a sworn affidavit. An officer staked out Stokes’ home and former office at 583 Main St. in December on two days, a week apart, and witnessed vehicles coming and going. A check of those vehicle registrations confirmed they were patients for whom Stokes had previously sent bills to MaineCare and Anthem Blue Cross, the investigator wrote.

Stokes was licensed as a chiropractor in Maine in 1988. He was divorced from his wife and ordered to pay child support, but fell into arrears totaling about $10,000 as of March, according to records. His driver’s license also was suspended because of the money owed for child support.

After being served a cease and desist notice in December 2008, Stokes continued his practice and billing for services. He stopped billing insurers after getting notice of his June hearing, according to board records.

In September, his Main Street home and office were foreclosed by a local bank. His bank bought his other house for less than was owed, Stokes said under oath on Thursday.

He said he lives in a mobile home with his wife, who owns the home and works as a seamstress and chambermaid at a local hotel.