Hands folded and eyes downcast, 24-year-old Joseph Slider of New Matamoras listened quietly as he was sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison Tuesday by Washington County Common Pleas Judge Ed Lane on theft and receiving stolen property charges.

But Slider later spoke up, spouting several threats as he was led from the courtroom following the sentencing hearing, including that he wanted to “spit” on the prosecutor.

In June, Slider was charged with the robbery of a home and the Par Mar Store in New Matamoras. He was also charged for unauthorized use of his aunt Susan Slider’s credit card.

“Joe was on drugs at the time. He’s an addict and used my credit card without my knowledge,” Susan Slider told Lane Tuesday.

But she added that her nephew had paid back the amount he spent from the credit card.

“He’s tried to pay restitution for all that he’s done,” Susan said.

Assistant Washington County Prosecutor Harrison Crumrine said the state would recommend prison time for the defendant.

Defense attorney Rolf Baumgartel acknowledged his client has a longstanding drug problem.

“He’s a heroin addict, and he knows that,” Baumgartel said. “He needs to get clean and stop using heroin.”

Baumgartel said Slider understood that there would be some prison time to serve for his crimes, but asked that the defendant also be placed in the SEPTA program to help him recover from his drug addiction.

Slider’s mother also had a criminal history, Baumgartel noted.

“Kids often learn from their parents’ example,” he said. “I think he needs an example like the SEPTA program. The most he can receive on these charges is 3 1/2 years in prison, but that’s just going to make him a more accomplished criminal. He needs help and SEPTA could be very helpful.”

Slider told Lane that he wants to improve his life.

“I’ve been in front of you plenty of times,” he said. “I know I’m a drug addict and have done drugs since I was 9 years old. I’ve been in and out of prison, and in prison it’s easy for me to get drugs. I’m 24 years old and I want to accomplish something and get my life back.”

Lane noted Slider has a long history of juvenile and adult convictions, both misdemeanors and felonies dating back to 2002, and said the defendant had failed to respond favorably to past efforts toward rehabilitation.

“He is not amenable to community control, and a prison sentence would be consistent,” Lane said, then sentenced Slider to the maximum 42 months in prison with credit for 78 days already served in the county jail.

The judge did not order a fine or restitution as Slider was considered indigent. Slider could have faced a maximum $10,000 fine for the crimes.