Federal authorities have issued indictments in several 2014 bank robberies committed in the region.

Lee Sokalsky, 34, of Scranton, was indicted in connection with six cases, including a daylight robbery at the Hometown branch of the Mauch Chunk Trust Bank on Claremont Avenue.Sokalsky was also charged in connection with robberies at the First National Community Bank in Hazleton on June 19, NBT Bank in Dickson City on July 25, National Penn Bank in Drums on Sept. 20, and the M & T Bank in the Laurel Mall on Oct. 10; as well as attempted robbery at FNC Bank in Hazleton on Aug. 26.In the Hometown case, an armed robber, whose face was covered with a stocking, entered the bank at 2:07 p.m. on Aug. 26, 2014, and demanded cash. After receiving an undisclosed amount of cash and dye packets, the robber left through the back of the building and made his getaway in a dark color four door pick up truck. The truck was last seen traveling northbound on Route 309.Later that day, that same pick up was involved in a hit-and-run accident on Poplar Street in Hazleton, leaving behind a scattering of cash. Police learned the truck had been reported as stolen and the suspect was implicated in an attempted robbery in Hazleton earlier in the day. A massive search was made of the area between Hometown and Hazleton but the suspect was caught at the time.If found guilty, Sokalsky faces a maximum penalty of 25 years imprisonment for the Hometown robbery and 20 years for each of the other offenses.In another local bank robbery, David Weaver, 40, and Crystal Serfass, 30, both of Junedale, were charged in connection with a Dec. 18, 2014 armed robbery at the Jim Thorpe Neighborhood Bank in Penn Forest Township.Just after closing time that day, a male suspect smashed a glass security door and gained entrance to the bank. The masked man demanded money from three tellers and was given an undisclosed amount of cash. He then left through the smashed door and ran across Route 903.A search of the area was made but the suspect was able to get away.Weaver was charged with conspiracy to commit armed robbery, armed bank robbery, illegal use of a firearm and obstruction of justice.Serfass was charged with conspiracy to commit armed robbery, armed bank robbery, obstruction of justice, possession of methamphetamine and making false statements to an FBI agent.Weaver faces a maximum penalty of life in prison, while Serfass could be sentenced to a maximum of 86 years in prison, if found guilty of the charges.The investigations were turned over to the Federal Bureau of Investigation after the initial searches were fruitless.All of the suspects are in federal custody. Prosecution of the cases will be handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Gurganus.