Former Rooks County Sheriff Randy Axelson has been sentenced to 49 months in prison for distributing methamphetamine.

The sentence given to 44-year-old Axelson Tuesday afternoon in Rooks County District Court is shorter than the five years and four months requested by prosecutors.

Axelson was the Rooks County Sheriff when arrested by KBI agents December 30, 2011 following an investigation.  He was accused of distributing meth over a period of four months at the Rooks County Fairgrounds and within 1,000 feet of Stockton High School.

Axelson resigned in May.

He pleaded guilty July 27, 2012 to four counts. Prosecutors dropped five other counts in exchange for the plea.

Axelson will be housed in the Ellis County jail and then will be transferred to the Kansas Department of Corrections.