Tamaqua restaurateur Alfonso "Alfie" Picone will serve 18 to 60 months in state prison for bilking an elderly Lake Hauto couple out of about $319,501.60. He also was ordered to repay the money.

Picone did not visibly react as Schuylkill County President Judge William E. Baldwin pronounced the sentence Monday.

Picone's extended family and friends, many of whom accompanied him during his trial in September, embraced him as he was handcuffed and taken away by sheriff's deputies.

His mother sobbed, and the crowd shouted "We love you, Alfie!" And broke into applause.

In addition to the prison time, Baldwin also ordered Picone to repay $319,501.60 to the children of John W. Burnard and his late wife, Ella.

The sentencing was moved to the spacious courtroom #1 from Baldwin's courtroom because of the number of people who testified on Picone's behalf.

About 75 supporters were in the courtroom. Of that, 14 testified in his favor, citing Picone's donations of food, his hosting of fund raisers, and what they described as a genuine caring and generous nature.

Among those testifying was Coaldale Mayor Joel Johnson.

Picone is a "caring, humble, respectful man" who "unselfishly donated his time and effort" to the community," Johnson said.

Picone was charged with swindling $315,492 between January and December 2014 from the couple. Forensic accountant

Dennis Houser testified at Picone's trial that between Aug. 26, 2013, and Dec. 9, 2014, there were 23 transactions from the

Burnards' bank and retirement accounts to Picone or his business or his vendors (contractors who did work on his house)

totaling $319,501.

Picone, 46, was charged in May 2015 by then-Rush Township patrolman Thomas R. Fort.

According to police reports and testimony, Picone used temporary bank checks to siphon money from the couple's

retirement and checking accounts.

Deputy Attorney General Michelle L. Laucella prosecuted the case. Picone was defended by Ross M. Miller of Lansdale. Miller has said he plans to appeal the verdict.