Christopher Ray

A Butler man was paroled in county court on Thursday, after being charged with drug distribution.

Christopher L. Ray, 44, was immediately paroled after being sentenced to 1 to 12 months in the Butler County Prison by Judge William Shaffer.

His parole will be followed by 18 months of probation. Ray was also ordered to pay court costs, complete 15 hours of community service and undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation and treatment.

Ray pleaded guilty Jan. 17 to felony possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

Ten misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance and eight misdemeanor counts of possession of drug paraphernalia were withdrawn as part of the plea.

The charges stem from an investigation by state police, after an incident at the Longhorn Corral Saloon and Motel on Route 422 in Franklin Township on Sept. 2. Police said Ray was found with more than 300 prescription pills, crack cocaine and other contraband — including dozens of crack pipes and a digital scale.

Troopers, who were called to the motel for a suspicious person report, found Ray in the doorway of a room. He was found to be wanted on a bench warrant, and was arrested.

Nancy A. Hinchberger, 50, of Butler, who was sleeping on the room's bed, was also found to be wanted by Butler Township police on an arrest warrant for several unrelated misdemeanor drug charges, police said.

A later search of the room turned up unmarked medicine bottles that contained a total of 342 prescription pills, several pieces of crack, crack pipes, a scale, a large amount of suspected drug packaging materials, five cell phones and $130 in currency, police said.

Police said Hinchberger was later searched and found with suspected crack and a crack pipe.

She admitted that she had gone to the motel room, documents said, “to purchase crack cocaine at $80 per gram.” She said she smoked the drug and went to sleep there.

She was also charged and is awaiting court proceedings.

Ray apologized during Tuesday's proceeding.