A New Castleman, charged in two driving under the influence incidents in six days — including one involving a police chase — was sentenced to time served in Butler County Court on Thursday.

Jason D. Lechner, 45, was sentenced to seven days to 12 months in Butler County Prison, and was immediately paroled on time served by Judge William Shaffer.

Lechner previously pleaded guilty to two counts of misdemeanor DUI in two cases, as well as a misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia and summary driving on a suspended license on Aug. 16.

He was also ordered to pay $1,300 in fines, complete 60 hours community service and serve six months probation following his parole expiration.

Lechner was initially charged with felony fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement, four misdemeanor DUI counts and several summary traffic violations after an incident that began on Route 8 in Brady Township May 5. He was then charged May 11 with misdemeanor DUI, DUI high rate, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and a summary traffic violation.

The remaining charges were dismissed as a result of a plea agreement.

Police said in the May 5 incident, Lechner led police on a chase through two municipalities after being seen running a stop sign.

Officers attempted to pull the vehicle over, and it continued driving at a slow speed into Clay Township.

The vehicle eventually stopped in the driveway of a home on McGregor Road.

A subsequent breath test showed Lechner's blood-alcohol level was 0.097 percent.

Following his arraignment, he was released on his own recognizance.

Six days later, on May 11, he was again charged with DUI along Route 38 in Summit Township.

In that incident, he pulled the vehicle over, got out of his car and laid down face first on the ground.

When police searched him, they say they found an aspirin bottle containing suspected marijuana.

A breath test later showed his blood-alcohol level was 0.144 percent. A level of 0.08 percent is considered intoxicated under state law.

He was arraigned and held in the Butler County Prison on $15,000 bail, which was later changed to pretrial services and he was placed on a SCRAM (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor) bracelet and released.

Lechner apologized during the proceeding, saying the arrests changed his life.

“I resisted for quite a while,” he said of drug and alcohol treatment, “But if you have an open mind, the benefits are undeniable.” He said he is “chasing my sobriety with all the manner that I chased my nonsobriety.”

“I had 14 years clean once, then I turned 15,” he said of his drug use. “This is the first year I have been off heroin and cocaine in 30 years. Everything is so much easier now. My higher power has turned that switch off. My only goal is to remain sober.”