A Schuylkill County man was sentenced to a state prison term on Friday in Carbon County court after previously pleading guilty to a drug-dealing charge.

Frank James Sanders, 49, of Coaldale, will spend 15 to 30 months in a state correctional institution on a charge of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.Sanders was arrested with Brandice Boner, 36, of Nesquehoning for distributing drugs in Nesquehoning. The arrest of the two followed a three-month investigation into drugs being distributed from Boner's residence.According to the affidavits, filed by Nesquehoning police officer Timothy Wuttke, the investigation started after police were notified that there was a lot of foot traffic coming to the Boner residence.It was suspected that Boner was distributing large quantities of heroin at the time.On the morning of Feb. 16, police executed a search warrant and detained two females, one identified as Boner, and found 18 bags of heroin and a wristlet. Boner admitted selling heroin for Sanders out of her home.She then made arrangements with Sanders to purchase three additional bundles of heroin later that day.That same day police met with a source who claimed they purchased heroin from Sanders. A meeting with Sanders was arranged, and when he arrived at the designated point he was arrested.Because of his prior criminal record, which dates back to 1986, the state sentencing guidelines called for a state prison term.Sanders said he started selling drugs out of desperation because he lost his job and had a family to feed. He said he has nine children.He also told Matika that he moved to the area to get away from the drug culture. He said of his arrest for selling, "I thought I could make an easy buck by selling drugs." He also claimed the sale that he was arrested for was so he could get money to buy a pair of boots so he could start a new job.Matika, noting the arrest was Sanders' first in more than 20 years, said, "Your prior record came back to haunt you big time."In addition to the jail term, Sanders was ordered to render 100 hours of community service when paroled, supply a DNA sample and pay court costs of about $1,000.Sanders, who has been in prison since his arrest, was given credit for 183 days.Boner has pleaded guilty for her part in the incident and is awaiting sentencing.