A Butler County man with a history of drug dealing was sentenced on Thursday to life in prison.

Harold Hall, who was tried in December, was sentenced to life in prison plus 10 years.

“It is a stiff sentence, but it’s within the habitual offenders guidelines,” said Butler County District Attorney Charlotte Tesmer.

According to Tesmer, Hall had several previous felony convictions, including possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and rape, second degree.

“He got the additional 10 years because he was selling within three miles of a public housing project and within three miles of a school,” Tesmer said. “Five years was added for each of those.”

Lt. Byron Russell said that Hall was convicted of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance in December, but that Hall skipped his trial, which was the reason for the delay in sentencing.

“He didn’t show up for his trial after jury selection, so we tracked him down and arrested him again,” Russell said.

Russell said authorities caught Hall selling crack cocaine.

Tesmer said she hopes the sentence will send a message.

“I’m glad that judge sentence him like she did,” Tesmer said. “I hope it will help deter someone else from selling drugs to people in Greenville.”