A Carbon County man was sentenced to a state prison term on Thursday in the county court after previously pleading guilty to two counts of escape and four counts of theft.

Sean McFadden, 24, of Nesquehoning, was sentenced by Judge Joseph J. Matika to serve a total of 33 to 72 months in a state correctional institution on all counts.McFadden's sentencing proceeding was held via video conference. He is currently an inmate at the state correction institution (SCI) at Chester. He was seated in a video area at the state prison while the proceeding was held in Matika's courtroom.McFadden was serving a one- to five-year term in the county prison on a driving under the influence charge but was transferred to a state facility because of continuing problems he had at the local prison.McFadden told Matika his placement in the state system has been the best thing to happen to him. He said he is enrolled in a drug rehabilitation program in the prison that has helped him with addiction to heroin.He told Matiak, "I've been battling addiction since I was 15, now I'm 24, for nine years."He added, "Today I have a clear head and would never consider doing what I did."Defense Attorney Michael Gough said he noticed a big change in McFadden's appearance. He said when he was first assigned to represent McFadden he said his client "looked like a drug addict." But he said since McFadden has been in the state system he noticed a marked change in his appearance and his attitude.McFadden said he has finished two phases of a three-phase program in the state system and looks forward to finishing it and getting out of jail to "start my life over."Matika said the court was concerned about McFadden because drugs have played a huge role in his life. But he added that it is apparent that the state drug program within the state prison system has helped the defendant address the problem.Matika noted from a presentence report prepared by the adult probation office, McFadden's mother said his drug addiction made him a "monster."Matika said a person with a drug addiction must face that fact every day but it's how he faces it that matters. He said it appears McFadden now knows how to handle it.The escape charges stem from incidents on Jan. 4, and 16, 2013, when he failed to return to the prison as required after being out on a furlough.The theft counts stem from a series of vehicle break-ins in Nesquehoning during 2013 in which various items were taken from several victims.In addition to the jail term, Matika ordered McFadden to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment. (It was noted that requirement has been satisfied by the program he is currently in), zero tolerance on D&A use when released from prison, supply a DNA sample, render 50 hours of community service when released on parole, make total restitution to various victims of $219.98, must pay court costs, which average about $1,000, and have no contact with any of his victims in the theft incidents.McFadden has finished the minimum of his DUI sentence. Matika ruled the new sentence runs concurrent with the DUI term, which has just over three years of probation left.