The Schuylkill County man who stole a borough’s debit card to go on a personal spending spree that included what he called “amazing cigars” was sent to jail for at least the next three months Monday afternoon.
Timothy Edmonds, 20, of Brockton, was sentenced to 3-23 months in Schuylkill County Prison by Judge Christopher Hobbs today. In addition to this jail sentence, Edmonds must also pay more than $16,000 in restitution from two cases of felony theft on his record, do 50 hours of community service, and spend three years on probation after his release from the County lockup.
Back in December, New Philadelphia Borough officials first learned that their new hire, Edmonds, had been using the government’s official debit card to make personal purchases. He was given the card by the Borough to buy supplies for official jobs at Lowe’s. Instead, Edmonds took the card and bought things from Lowe’s, like copper piping, and went to a local scrap yard for its cash value. He also used the debit card to purchase what he described as “amazing cigars” for himself, among other personal desires.
In total, Edmonds racked up $8,152.99 in illegal purchases on New Philadelphia’s debit card before he was caught. And he might have gotten away with no jail time had it not been for another theft case on his record.
Just months prior to gaining employment at New Philadelphia, Edmonds had been sentenced to ARD for another theft from an employer, this at Market Square Apartments. In September 2024, it was first realized that Edmonds was likely responsible for stealing brass bathroom fittings and a cordless drill from the apartment building and a co-worker. Those stolen items added up to $8,277.12.
At his sentencing hearing on Monday inside Courtroom 4 at Schuylkill County Courthosue, Hobbs told Edmonds that he has a duty to protect society from the likes of him.
“The only way I can do that is to put you in prison,” the judge told Edmonds.
During much of the hearing on Monday, Edmonds was shaking behind the defense counsel table. He attempted to plead to Hobbs for leniency in sentencing. Edmonds said he’d just started a new job with a local home improvement contractor who he said was willing to pay for him to go to school to learn HVAC and build a new branch of his business around him.
Edmonds even admitted to his own faults in the past.
“The past three or four years, I’ve been too busy smoking weed and disappointing everybody, including my mother. I don’t have a good excuse for what I did,” he told Hobbs as he sobbed. “I’ve been a really terrible person. I want an opportunity to change my life. I really want to contribute to my community and not always be worried about the cops showing up.”
And as it became apparent that he’d not be granted house arrest as he’d hoped, Edmonds began getting ill. Defense attorney Ashley Sabol quickly recognized the situation and darted to the front of the courtroom and grabbed a wastebasket to set aside her client.
Just as Hobbs was asking if he needed a minute to compose himself, Edmonds brought up a little bit into the bin and the hearing continued.
Despite being granted a chance at the prison’s work release program, Edmonds then became worried about being fired from his new job because apparently his affairs weren’t in order at the time. He asked Hobbs for two days to do that and the judge was not having it.
“Two days, your honor?” he asked.
Hobbs quickly replied, “No.
“These are your actions, Mr. Edmonds. I gave you a huge break. Your effective date is now,” he said.
More From Coal Region Canary
See all stories ›
Flood Watch Issued for Schuylkill County on Thursday
5 hours ago
Nabholz Has Allowed Just 1 Earned Run in 5 Appearances Since Promotion to Eugene
12 hours ago
Schuylkill County Man Used Brother’s Name During Traffic Stop Because He’d Been Sentenced to Jail for Driving on a Suspended License
13 hours ago
Barton Cards Sub-70 Round to Pace Haven; Blue Mountain Sweeps Tri-Match
15 hours ago
PennDOT to Host Winter Job Fair in Schuylkill County
17 hours ago
Schuylkill County Man Wanted After Police Say He Traded Nude Photos With 16-Year-Old
18 hours agoSubscribe to Coal Region Canary
Get email updates from Coal Region Canary by becoming a subscriber today. Just enter your email address below to get started!Support Coal Region Canary
Like our reporting and want to support truly local news in Schuylkill County? Your small donations help. For as little as $5, your contribution will allow us to cover more news that directly affects you. Consider donating today by hitting the big yellow button below ...