May 1, 2002 By Jennifer Harr 2 min read

A Uniontown man agreed to accept a three- to six-year prison term, but balked Tuesday when a Fayette County judge said his sentence also required an additional 90-day term for driving with a suspended license. Russell N. Sanders, 27, of 128 Pershing Court, went back to the county prison when Judge Conrad B. Capuzzi refused to accept his plea because Sanders wouldn’t agree to the additional 90-day sentence.

Capuzzi said it was required by law that the 90 days had to run in addition to the three- to six-year term for drug offenses. Under a deal with prosecutors, the three- to six-year term was to run at the same time as another drug-related sentence of 1 1/2 to five years imposed in February.

In the most recent drug accusations, Redstone Township Police Capt. H. Dennis Field Jr. alleged that he saw Sanders, whom he recognized as having a suspended license, driving along Route 40 on July 23, 1999.

After Field pulled Sanders over, the arrest warrant indicated that Sanders got out of his car. Field directed him back to his vehicle and from his police car, watched Sanders shoving things under the console of the vehicle.

When Field asked Sanders if he could search the car, Sanders reportedly agreed, and told the captain that he did not have any weapons or drugs in the vehicle. The warrant indicates that Field found 8.8 grams of crack cocaine and 0.8 grams of marijuana.

Sanders was subsequently charged with possession of crack cocaine, possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession with intent to deliver crack cocaine.

Sanders’ attorney, David Taylor, talked with his client after he refused to take the 90-day consecutive sentence for driving without a license, but Sanders said he would not plead guilty.

“Welcome to Courtroom 3,” said Capuzzi, ending plea proceedings, and sending Sanders back to his seat.