Thomas Rodgers

An East Butler man was arrested Friday after state police vice officers and troopers executed a search warrant at his home on Randolph Avenue.

The warrant, which was served about 6 a.m., was issued stemming from an investigation that began last year and during which Thomas J. Rodgers, 53, allegedly sold crack cocaine to a police informant, authorities said.

Rodgers, who lives alone, was at his single-story home when the warrant was executed, and he was taken into custody. Only a small amount of suspected marijuana, scales and other drug paraphernalia were discovered in the search.

District Judge Lewis Stoughton later arraigned Rodgers on charges in connection with last year's alleged drug buy.

In that case, police said, an informant contacted Rodgers by cellphone Oct. 15 and arranged to buy crack at his home on the 1000 block of Randolph Avenue.

Investigators said Rodgers sold the informant 2.2 grams of crack for $400.

Rodgers was arraigned on felony charges of delivery or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility, and misdemeanor charges of possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia.

He was placed in the Butler County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bond following arraignment.

Stoughton also set the condition that if Rodgers posts bail, he must be immediately placed on pre-trial supervision, and undergo drug testing every Monday and Friday.

His preliminary hearing was tentatively set for March 17 at Stoughton's office in Chicora. Online court records did not indicate if Rodgers has an attorney.

Police, meanwhile, said charges are pending in connection with the findings of Friday's warrant search.