A Bothell man who robbed the Juanita Village Bank of America at gunpoint last August could face a six-year prison sentence, as recommended by federal prosecutors on Jan. 22.

Anthony Ray Shindler, 43, was armed with a handgun when he robbed $3,563 from the Kirkland bank on Aug. 5, 2011 and fled on foot. FBI arrested him on Aug. 8 at the Totem Lake QFC, where employees recognized Shindler from bank surveillance. Shindler was a meat cutter at QFC since 2003.

A magistrate judge released Shindler from federal detention in Seattle on his own recognizance in August, pending he wear a GPS tracking device. The Bothell man pleaded guilty to armed robbery and firearm possession on Nov. 4, 2011.

The Kirkland robbery was also not Shindler’s first. He robbed a Woodinville 7-Eleven convenience store in July of 2011, according to a sentencing memorandum. He was unarmed during that robbery, in which he stole $45 in cash.

In a letter to the court, Shindler explained his financial circumstances that led up to the Kirkland robbery. He said he purchased a home for his wife in Granite Falls in 2008 and fell behind on mortgage payments. He also suffered from anxiety and depression, according to court records.

“With the stress of possibly losing our house I desperately and foolishly turned to gambling,” said Shindler, noting his home eventually went into foreclosure.

He also apologized for his actions during the Kirkland holdup.

“While I feel it is worth mentioning that the pistol was neither loaded or for that matter operable, I understand the impact my actions caused that day on the lives of so many, as well as the grave danger those actions placed on the people at the bank and myself. I do sincerely regret those actions.”

Federal prosecutors are recommending a six-year prison sentence, as well as supervised release for three years and restitution in the amount of $1,703.

Shindler’s sentencing hearing is set for Feb. 16.