A Farrell man who pleaded guilty to a federal charge of selling crack cocaine to a confidential informant has been sentenced to more than 7 years in prison, said a spokesman for U.S. District Court Judge David S. Cercone, Pittsburgh.

Eric L. Hopson, 26, of 928 Beechwood Ave., was immediately taken to begin serving his 88-month sentence. He has been in federal custody since Dec. 20 and will be given credit for that time served.

Hopson also was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment and will serve 4 years' supervised release -- the federal equivalent of probation -- after his prison term.

There was some discussion of recommending that the Bureau of Prisons enroll Hopson in a drug treatment program, but no decision was made, the spokesman said.

Hopson pleaded guilty June 24 to possession with intent to distribute and distribution of crack cocaine. He sold about 25 grams of crack -- just under an ounce -- for $950 to the informant at 3:27 p.m. May 20, 1999, according to court documents.

The informant approached Hopson on Emerson Avenue in Farrell and asked to buy an ounce of crack, official said.

An undercover state policeman also was present for the sale, which was monitored by state police and the FBI and electronically recorded, officials said.

The Internal Revenue Service and Sharon police assisted in the investigation.