NORWICH – A Norwich man who admitted to selling drugs out of a mobile home in the City of Norwich will avoid a state prison sentence if he completes a state-run drug treatment program.

Justin C. Harrington, 23, 115 Rexford St. appeared before Judge W. Howard Sullivan in Chenango County Court Monday. He pleaded guilty to first degree criminal nuisance, a class E felony. The crime carries a sentence of 1 1/3 to 4 years behind bars. Rather than serving that time in state prison, however, Harrington has been given the opportunity to enter the New York State Department of Correction’s Willard program, a 90-day intensive drug and alcohol treatment program. If he successfully completes the program, he will serve out the remainder of his sentence on parole.

The plea agreement is part of a deal negotiated by Harrington’s defense attorney, David Sonn, the Chenango County District Attorney’s Office and the court. One of its stipulations was that the drug offender waive his right to further appeal the case.

Sullivan pointed out that Harrington was only 23 or 24, and already he has been “in and out of jail and on and off probation”

“Now is the time to put that behind you,” the judge said.