New Castle man sentenced on drug charges

PITTSBURGH -- A New Castle man was sentenced in federal court to 262 months in prison to be followed by eight years' supervised release on his conviction of violating federal narcotics laws.
Frank Christian, 30, was sentenced Friday by Chief U.S. District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose. According to information presented in court by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret E. Picking, on Aug. 13, 2002, Christian distributed about one ounce of crack cocaine to a confidential police informant. Drug Enforcement Administration agents conducted both audio and visual surveillance of the transaction.
Authorities said they later searched Christian's home and car and found two handguns, a bulletproof vest, scales and $3,000. The cash was in the console of Christian's car, authorities said. Before imposing sentence, Judge Ambrose noted that Christian was classified as a career offender under federal law and therefore subject to severe punishment under federal sentencing guidelines.