Butler man to receive prison term for several cases including felony possession
A Butler man charged in several drug distribution cases pleaded guilty in Butler County Court on Thursday.
Robert M. Pacelli, 47, entered guilty pleas to two felony counts of possession with intent to distribute heroin, misdemeanor driving under the influence, misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance — heroin and summary driving on a suspended license before county Judge Timothy McCune.
The plea agreement calls for an aggregate sentence of two to four years in state prison, as well as probation and fines. He is scheduled for sentencing on June 8.
Pacelli’s attorney, Armand Cingolani III, informed the court that other charges were pending, including misdemeanor possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia from a May 2015 incident, which were waived to county court in a preliminary hearing on Wednesday. Assistant District Attorney Richard Bosco told the judge that the prosecution is seeking to withdraw those charges as part of the plea, which will be handled at the time of sentencing.
Pacelli was initially charged with misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and summary public drunkenness after an incident in Butler on May 18, 2016, when was allegedly found unresponsive in a vehicle in the 200 block of East Brady Street. Butler City police said inside the vehicle were three stamp bags of suspected heroin,four baggies of suspected crack cocaine, two crack pipes and a syringe. He was arraigned and released on his own recognizance.
Read more in Friday's edition of the Butler Eagle.