ESCANABA — An Escanaba man, charged with failing to register as a sex offender and possession of drugs, was sentenced to prison in Delta County Circuit Court recently.

Gerald Charles Alexander, 53, of 303 S. 11th St., Apt. 3, Escanaba, was facing charges in two cases within the circuit court.

In one case, Alexander pleaded guilty to one count of sex offenders – failure to comply with registration act – third or subsequent offense, as a third habitual offender.

He was sentenced to a minimum of two years to a maximum of 20 years in prison.

In the other case, Alexander pleaded guilty to one count of controlled substance – possession/analogues. He was sentenced to 12 months in jail.

The two sentences will be served concurrently, but will be served consecutively to Alexander’s sentence of a prior offense.

According to the Delta County Prosecutor’s Office, detectives of Escanaba Public Safety Department observed Alexander had not come in to the department for his quarterly verification requirements for sex offender registration on June 1.

On June 2, Alexander was arrested for failure to comply with the sex offender registration act by failing to update his address and employment status.

On July 2, agents from the Michigan Department of Corrections, detectives from the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement South Team (UPSET), and troopers from the Michigan State Police Gladstone Post conducted a search of Alexander’s apartment in Escanaba. Suboxone or bupenorphine pills were located during the search.

The prosecutor’s office said Alexander admitted he did not have a prescription for the pills.

Alexander’s driver’s license will be suspended for 30 days and restricted for 150 days.

He was ordered to pay $396 in fines and costs.