FREDERICK, Md. (AP) — A Thurmont man has been sentenced to four years in prison for his involvement in the attack of an employee with a medieval-style ax and a drug operation.

The Frederick News-Post reports that Andrew Francis Scalera, 45, was sentenced Thursday.

Scalera pleaded guilty in February to second-degree assault for the attack last year at his painting business on Jefferson Street.

Court records say Scalera struck the employee with the ax, cutting man’s forearm to the bone.

Scalera also pleaded guilty to felony drug charges stemming from a December arrest.

Margaret Teahan, assistant public defender, says Scalera started dealing drugs to make Christmas money because his business dwindled after he was charged with assault.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)