SAN DIEGO -- A Ramona man who pleaded guilty for his role in the "Skateboard Bandit" series of bank robberies was sentenced Monday to four years in federal prison.

Colter Johnson, 26, pleaded guilty after being arrested for three San Diego-area bank robberies. Security video showed the man wearing a beanie, sunglasses and a scarf over his face. Prosecutors said in court he used a toy air-soft gun -- doctored to look like a real gun -- to demand money from bank tellers. He stole more than $11,000 and left with a skateboard in hand, authorities said.

Johnson was arrested in Ocean Beach after his third robbery.

In federal court Monday, Johnson cried as he apologized to the court, the bank victims and his friends and family.

"I did a young, immature thing. I blame no one but myself," said Johnson. "I'm just asking you to understand I am not a bad person."

Johnson's attorney said the man's fiance died the year before the robberies began and he also lost his job.

A sympathetic Judge Janis Sammartino said, "Nobody here is saying you're a bad person, but you did some very bad acts."

The U.S. Attorney read a statement from one of the bank tellers that said she had to see a doctor because she had trouble sleeping after the robbery. She also said she had a hard time trusting customers when they came into the bank with a hat or backpack.

Prosecutors wanted Johnson to be sentenced to almost five years in prison, but his attorney asked for less than four. The judge split the difference and sentenced him to four years in prison.

Johnson's case may have been helped after it was revealed in court he had already paid all three banks.

The judge granted Johnson the right to self-surrender, releasing him Monday.

He's expected to report for his sentence December 5.