COURTLAND—A Franklin man who sold cocaine to an undercover informant for $40 will serve three years and six months in prison.

Damien Beale, 26, on Tuesday pleaded to guilty in Southampton County Circuit Court to possession of controlled substance with intent, the sale or distribution of cocaine and possession of a pistol while in possession of a controlled substance.

Beale was one of eight suspects arrested during a 13-hour period by Franklin Police on Jan. 26.

Commonwealth Attorney Eric Cooke said police gave an informant $40 to buy .255 grams of crack cocaine from Beale on Cobb Street.

After a police chase, it was discovered that Beale had a 9mm Ruger handgun and baggie with cocaine, Cooke said. As a result of the plea, the gun will be destroyed.

Judge Carl Eason denied a request by Beale’s attorney, Edward Fiorella, to allow his client to delay reporting for two weeks because he had family in town.