Three Butler residents who pleaded guilty to drug and drug-related offenses were sentenced to serve probation, pay fines and perform community service, but their penalties could have been more severe.

The residents graduated from the program Thursday, May 30 after successfully completing the drug treatment court program and receiving their sentences.

Common Pleas Judge Joseph Kubit congratulated the residents for completing the program before imposing the sentences, and then presided over the graduation ceremony.

Kubit said defendants in drug treatment court face two possible sentences — one for completing the program and a harsher one if they don’t complete it.

The program includes comprehensive treatment, education, accountability and intensive court supervision to help participants gain control of their lives and to stop the cycle of recidivism caused by addiction.

Shauna May Cress, 38, of Butler was sentenced to serve 36 months probation, pay a $200 fine and complete 25 hours of community service after pleading guilty to charges in two cases.

In one case, she pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of a controlled substance filed by state police following an Aug. 19, 2021, incident in Penn Township. She was not prosecuted on other charges, including a felony count of possession with intent to deliver.

In her second case, she pleaded guilty to charges of reckless endangerment and driving without a license filed by state police following a June 11, 2021, incident in Center Township. She was not prosecuted on charges of driving under the influence of a controlled substance, which would have been her third DUI offense, and other charges.

Kimberly M. Kiser, 47, of Butler was sentenced to 30 months of probation and ordered to pay $4,309 in restitution after pleading guilty to a charge of access device fraud and two counts of theft by deception filed in three cases by Butler Township police following incidents in January and October of 2021.

She was not prosecuted on numerous charges of forgery and other counts of access device fraud.

Gary R. Koval, 42, of Butler was sentenced to serve 24 months of probation and complete 25 hours of community service after pleading guilty to possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia filed by Butler Township police following a July 30, 2020, incident. He was not prosecuted on a felony charge of possession with intent to deliver.