Man sentenced for bank heist

By LINDA L. HULL, Times Leader Staff Writer
A FORMER Columbus, Ohio man was sentenced Monday for the 2004 robbery of the Steel Valley Bank in St. Clairsville.

Stewart Edward Sisley, 37, whose last address was listed in court records as 554 Station Road, Columbus, had been on house arrest since the robbery. He pleaded guilty to taking $60,000 from the bank teller before leading several law enforcement agencies on a high-speed chase that exceeded 100 mph.

Sisley was apprehended near a Barnesville exit of Interstate 70 and was taken into custody, charged with robbery and fleeing and eluding.

After numerous delays, Sisley faced Belmont County Common Pleas Judge Jennifer Sargus on Monday and was give a five-year house arrest sentence.

He is to be under the supervision and care of his mother. Sisley has been on house arrest in his mother’s care since the 2004 bank robbery.

Sisley’s mother took the witness stand, where she insisted she has been the primary caregiver and that her son had never gone anywhere without her. She did eventually admit, however, that her son sometimes spent time with her mother.

However, Belmont County Prosecutor Christopher Berhalter informed the court that on at least one occasion, Sisley wasn’t at home where he was supposed to be confined. Berhalter told Sargus, "He not only traumatized the victim when he robbed her, but when she was at the Wheeling Downs she looked over and there was the defendant gambling. That traumatized her again."

Berhalter also reminded the court that when Sisley tried to get away and led officers on a high-speed chase down the interstate, he could have seriously hurt or killed himself or someone else.

Jefferson County Behavior Health Systems therapist Carol Scott testified Sisley has numerous mental health issues as well as physical disabilities and that he is on many types of drugs that help stabilize him and basically keep him alive.

"He has major depression with psychotic features, a panic disorder, agoraphobia, sleep apnea and anxiety attacks," she added. "When he first came to us he was crying, suicidal; he was estranged from his family, and now he is calmer and less tearful."

Sisley’s attorney, John Vavra, asked Scott what would happen to his client if he were not to get his medication in a prison setting.

"His depression would increase, as would his anxiety, which would put his physical and mental health at risk," Scott said, noting she didn’t believe Sisley would be a threat to others.

Just before Sargus’ ruling she said, "The purpose of all sanctions is to punish and rehabilitate. When he was out on house arrest — bond — he went to Wheeling Downs. That was one day in three years."

She sentenced him to five years for the robbery and five years for the fleeing and eluding to run concurrently, and he was given credit for his previous house arrest. He is to remain in therapy and have random drug testing, as well as a curfew from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. He is to find employment and pay $15 a month to the probation department.

Hull may be reached at lhull@timesleaderonline.com