Man gets 15 years

A Gaffney man was sentenced Wednesday to 15 years in prison for possessing a loaded handgun and 8 grams of crack cocaine during a police traffic stop.

Dustin L. Rogers, 23, was found guilty of possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute and unlawful possession of a pistol at the conclusion of a jury trial.

Police arrested Rogers on Sept. 6, 2006.

A tip from a confidential reliable informant prompted officers to stop a car Rogers was traveling in near the intersection of West Buford and Granard streets. The crack cocaine was in a bag that Rogers held in his left hand. The 9 mm Taurus pistol was visible in his pants pocket, according to Assistant Seventh Circuit Solicitor Alex Stalvey.

Rogers' criminal record includes three prior drug convictions and a prior conviction for unlawful carrying of a pistol.