The Alpena County Courthouse is seen in this News file photo.

ALPENA — Defendant Brandon Ruark on Monday received at least seven years of incarceration for delivery of methamphetamines and felony weapon charges in Alpena Circuit Court.

According to Ruark’s attorney, William Pfeifer, on Sept. 18, Ruark pleaded guilty to one count of possession of methamphetamines with intent to deliver, one count of conspiracy to deliver methamphetamines, and a felony weapons charge.

Judge Ed Black sentenced Ruark to 60 months to 20 years for both the possession with intent to deliver and the conspiracy charge, plus two years for the felony weapons charge. Ruark will serve the two years for the weapons charge first, with 303 days credit.

According to Pfifer, Ruark was first arrested in Alcona County on charges of possession of methamphetamines. After that arrest, his house in Alpena County was searched and police found additional drugs and weapons.

“What happened was him and his girlfriend were caught on the way back from downstate in Alcona County a with a good chunk of methamphetamines,” said Pfeifer. “They got a search warrant in Alpena County for his house here, and they found some additional drugs in the house and some guns.”

Before receiving his sentence, Ruark apologized for his role in the Alpena drug trade and accepted responsibility for his actions.

Also in court on Monday:

∫ Defendant Scott Smith was sentenced to two years to 90 months incarceration after pleading guilty to strangling his partner while she was sleeping.

Smith pleaded guilty to one count of domestic violence and two counts of resisting arrest. His sentences will be served concurrently, with credit for 78 days served.

∫ Paul Champagne was sentenced to one year of incarceration, with credit for three days, after pleading guilty to two counts of assaulting a police officer and one count of malicious destruction of personal property.