Andrew Bryson

A Venango County man accused of breaking into a vacant apartment in Slippery Rock Township was sentenced to probation in Butler County Court on Thursday.

Andrew K. Bryson, 20, of Franklin, was sentenced to six months' probation by county Judge Timothy McCune.

He also was ordered to pay a $100 fine, after previously pleading guilty to misdemeanor criminal trespass on Sept. 6.

Bryson was initially charged with felony criminal trespass, misdemeanor criminal mischief and summary underage drinking after an incident on April 9. The charges were changed as a result of the plea, and the remaining counts were dismissed.

Police said Bryson was found in the residence at the Sentinel Apartment Complex in Slippery Rock sleeping on a couch after becoming intoxicated.

Slippery Rock police said they were called to the apartment complex on Fairview Drive shortly before 5 a.m. for a report of someone kicking in a door.

The apartment, it turned out, had previously been vacated and there were no working utilities. But on the sofa near the wall, the officer found Bryson fast asleep, police said.

He was arrested and eventually admitted to drinking.

Bryson was held in the Butler County Prison on $5,000 cash bail, which was later reduced and he was released.