Drug addict admits robbing Bethlehem bank

Skonieczny asked the judge to reconsider the sentence, but Anthony noted the robbery conviction is Skonieczny's second — he served 15 to 30 months in state prison for another one in 2007 — and the heist deeply disturbed the bank teller. Fearing another robbery, the teller quit her job after 12 years at the bank and has experienced panic attacks and sleeplessness, according to Chief Deputy District Attorney Jay Jenkins.

Skonieczny has been arrested many times since 1999 for drug possession, retail theft and theft by deception, according to testimony.

"I understand what's driving this train," Anthony said, explaining his sentence. "All of this is indicative of a drug problem and taking things to support your habit. But with a robbery, you have to consider the victim. Robbery is a very serious offense."

Skonieczny, represented by attorney Kate Roberts, pleaded guilty in June to one count of robbery.

Skonieczny has told authorities he was staying at an apartment at 624 Gordon St. around the time of the robbery. Police said he took a piece of mail from the home and used it to write a note demanding cash. He also told the bank teller he was armed with a gun.

When Skonieczny was arrested, police said, they found a jacket belonging to him. In the pockets, they found prescription pills, a hypodermic needle, a spoon and wire mesh often used as a screen to hold drugs in a pipe.

Jenkins said police also found $1,280 in cash in Skonieczny's sock. Anthony ordered Skonieczny to pay the bank the rest of the $220. He also ordered Skonieczny to have no contact with the bank teller.

Skonieczny has a twin brother who was also a heroin addict but has been clean for four years, according to testimony. Jonathan Skonieczny has also lost two other siblings — one to a car crash in 1999. Family members told Anthony those events may have caused Skonieczny to fall deeper into his drug use.

"I was relieved I got caught," Skonieczny said, crying. "I can't even describe to you how my life was in the weeks before I got caught."

Skonieczny said he didn't realize the robbery would have such an effect on the bank teller, his 5-year-old daughter and others close to him.

"I screwed up a lot of people's lives making this one decision," he said.