One of four men who stole goods from a Mahoning Township trucking company will serve 18 months on probation and perform 75 hours of community service.

Carbon County Judge Joseph J. Matika on Thursday also ordered Nicholas R. Sickonic, 22, of Palmerton, to pay $520 in restitution to North East Motor Freight, and to undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation. Sickonic will also pay court costs and fees.The judge imposed the sentence after listening to testimony from Sickonic and his mother.Sickonic's lawyer, Paul J. Levy, said his client admits that he made bad choices, and accepts responsibility for his actions.Sickonic said substance abuse led to the crime."It seemed like a good idea at the time, but it was probably the drugs telling me that," he told Matika.It was a 122 days spent in jail that "opened his eyes," Levy said of Sickonic.The jail time, his mother told Matika, "really kicked his butt.""I've seen a real change in him," she said. "A huge change."Since his release from jail, he's been off drugs, is employed, and no longer associates with drug-using friends who were a bad influence.Sickonic, along with Daniel C. Gruber, 42, of Lehighton; and Ryan K. Dillman, 28, and Martin P. Konze, 45, both of Palmerton, was charged by township police with taking items from the company.Konze is scheduled to plead guilty in January. Dillman was sentenced to nine to one day less 24 months in prison on a felony count of theft.Gruber, who was a dock supervisor at the company, was also scheduled to be sentenced Wednesday, but his hearing was rescheduled.According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by township police Chief Audie Mertz, The company on March 9 reported a burglary/theft involving a cut in the fencing surrounding the facility.Police found a trail cut through the woods leading across a stream to the rear of a business on Ashtown Drive. A large volume of merchandise was found along the trail.Police seized more than $6,000 in merchandise, which included more than 30 tires, tools, plumbing fixtures, furniture and clothing. Additional items seized by police included fishing waders.Police also seized merchandise from a building on First Street in Lehighton, and another residence in Palmerton. These items included power tools, plumbing fixtures, tires, clothing, hand tools, a large number of Xbox One systems and liquor.