NORWICH – Five individuals charged with various felony and misdemeanor crimes appeared in county court Monday, three pleading not guilty to the charges brought against them while two others were sentenced, one to three and a half years in state prison.

Those who appeared Monday included:

• Edrick L. Rouse, 34, Syracuse, sentenced to three and a half years in state prison followed by three years of post release supervision after pleading guilty to one count of third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class B felony.

Rouse, who has one prior felony conviction, was indicted in April on charges of third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance; fourth degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class C felony; and fifth degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class D felony.

It was alleged that Rouse, on or about March 9, 2012, in the Town of Norwich, did knowingly and unlawfully possess five plastic baggies of the narcotic cocaine, with an aggregate weight of 4.47 grams, with the intent to sell. According to Chenango County District Attorney Joseph McBride, this is the second time Rouse has been charged with selling drugs in the area. Another conviction, he added, would lead to a much sterner sentence.

Said McBride, “If you deal drugs in Chenango County, you’re going to prison.”

• Michael B. VanDerWeert, 27, Guilford, pleaded guilty to one count of second degree attempted burglary, a class D felony, and was sentenced to five years probation. VanDerWeert must also successfully complete the county’s Drug Treatment Court program and – if not accepted into the program – will serve one year at the Chenango County Correctional Facility. VanDerWeert could face up to seven years in prison if he were to violate the terms and/or conditions of his probation.

VanDerWeert was indicted in October on charges of second degree burglary, a class C felony, and petit larceny, a class A misdemeanor. It was alleged that VanDerWeert, in September of 2012, did knowingly enter and unlawfully remain in a personal residence on County Road 38 in the Town of Guilford with the intent to commit a crime, stealing a safe, three rolls of quarters and a pair of 1960 class rings.