Macklin Haye

A Petrolia man, charged alongside his girlfriend after a home invasion revealed a drug operation in their home, was sentenced in two cases Thursday.

Macklin C. Haye, 25, was sentenced to a total of 9 to 18 months in Butler County Prison, followed by 36 months of probation, as well as 60 months of the county Intermediate Punishment Program, with 12 months on house arrest with electronic monitoring by President Judge Thomas Doerr.

He also was ordered to pay court costs and $2,500 in fines, complete 150 hours of community service, an Alcohol Highway Safety School, a Victim Impact Panel, the county litter pickup program, a Court Reporting Network evaluation, and any recommended drug and alcohol treatment.

Doerr also permitted his probation to be transferred to Allegheny County.

Haye's attorney, Lee Rothman, said his client has spent the minimum nine months in Butler County Prison and was eligible for parole. Doerr gave Haye time-served credit.

Haye pleaded guilty Feb. 28 to felony possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, misdemeanor driving under the influence, and summary driving on a suspended license.

Haye was initially charged alongside Savannah M. Blust, 24, with felony possession with intent, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia, and conspiracy counts to all, after a home invasion June 8 at their home in the 300 block of Petrolia Road revealed that the two were selling marijuana and manufacturing THC wax.

State police investigating the home invasion, where three people broke into the house and confronted the couple, said suspected marijuana, contraband and suspicious equipment was witnessed during that investigation. Police ultimately found two pounds of processed marijuana, $67,928 in currency, as well as psychedelic mushrooms and an assortment of drug contraband in the house.

Police said the home invasion occurred after Patrick C. Bookwalter, 35, of Rimersburg, Clarion County; Joseph R. Painter, 34, of Kittanning, Armstrong County; and Michael Lee Bure, 36, of Worthington, Armstrong County; allegedly broke in and assaulted Blust and Haye. Police said the three men targeted the couple for proceeds from their drug business.

Bookwalter allegedly entered the home while Bure and Painter searched the garage, police said. That is when Bookwalter, armed with pepper spray and a handgun, encountered Haye sleeping on the couch in the living room. Police said Bookwalter sprayed Haye with the pepper spray as the two men tussled.

Blust, who was sleeping on the second floor, heard the fighting and came downstairs. She repeatedly stabbed Bookwalter in defense of her boyfriend, police said, before Bookwalter allegedly pointed a gun at both her and Haye.

Bookwalter and his accomplices then fled the house empty-handed before making their getaway in Bookwalter's car.

Bookwalter later called 911, claiming he had been stabbed near the All Star Bar in East Brady. Emergency crews found him in an alley near the bar. He had four stab wounds to his back, documents said. A medical helicopter flew him to a Pittsburgh hospital.

Haye pleaded to the felony possession charge in that case.

Painter, Bookwalter and Bure continue to await court proceedings. Painter and Bure were released after posting bail.

Assistant District Attorney Terri Schultz said Haye will also provide testimony to the Commonwealth regarding the cases against them, which helped result in the plea.

Blust was sentenced to 6 to 12 months in Butler County Prison, followed by 36 months' probation, and ordered to pay a $500 fine and court costs after pleading guilty to felony possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance Oct. 18.

Haye also was charged by Butler police with misdemeanor DUI, DUI high rate, driving on a suspended license, and operating with unsafe equipment after an incident in Butler on April 25. He pleaded guilty to the DUI and driving under suspension charges in that case.