An area man arrested twice within two weeks in July 2015 for selling prescription narcotics was sentenced Monday in New London Superior Court to 4 1/2 years in prison.

Matthew R. Branch, 28, pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of narcotics with intent to sell and criminal possession of a firearm. He accepted a plea deal worked out between prosecutor Paul J. Narducci and attorney Anthony R. Basilica. He pleaded guilty under the Alford Doctrine, which indicates he does not agree to the state's version of the crimes but does not want to risk a harsher sentence if convicted at trial.

Branch was selling drugs to support his own habit, according to his attorney.

"This is the result of a long-term addiction," Basilica said. "He's had a problem with pills for an extended period of time."

Branch is "not thrilled" with the plea deal, but is clean for the first time in a long time, Basilica said.

According to Narducci and court documents, members of the Statewide Narcotics Task Force received information that Branch was selling pills out of the Super 8 motel in Groton and arranged for a cooperating witness to make controlled purchases before raiding the motel on July 1, 2015. They arrested Branch and seized 84 Oxycontin tablets, 33 Hydromorphone tablets and $2,000 in cash, Narducci said.

The task force then received information that Branch, who was free on bond, had resumed selling drugs out of 136 Route 2A in Preston. After making additional controlled purchases, the officers executed a search warrant at the residence and seized 129 opioid pills and a .38-caliber Smith & Wesson revolver. Branch, who had previously been convicted of a felony, could not legally own the pistol. He admitted he had purchased it from a Mystic woman for $300, according to the court file.

Also arrested was Brenton N. Broznya, whose case is pending in the same court.

Judge Hillary B. Strackbein told Branch he is lucky to be alive, given the "horrible" drug problem in the county.

"You can't want this for yourself and your family," Strackbein said.

She sentenced him to 12 years in prison, suspended after 4 1/2 years, followed by four years probation and ordered him to undergo any substance abuse treatment deemed necessary while on probation.

k.florin@theday.com