DALLAS -- Rock singer David Crosby was sentenced Friday to five years in prison for possession of cocaine and three years for illegal possession of a loaded handgun.
Crosby, convicted on both charges June 3, was sentenced by Judge Pat McDowell, who ordered that the sentences be served concurrently.
Crosby was released on $8,000 bond pending appeal.
Crosby, 41, was arrested in April 1982 in the dressing room of Cardi's, a Dallas nightclub where he was performing. Authorities said they found one-quarter gram of cocaine and a loaded .45-caliber handgun in his possession.
The singer-songwriter, formerly of the Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, is currently on probation for a 3-year-old disorderly conduct charge in California. He was also convicted last year in California of reckless driving.
Defense attorneys Friday said imprisoning Crosby would be 'cruel and unusual punshment.' They argued that such a small amount of cocaine was involved that it was not a serious offense.
They also said Crosby kept a loaded gun because he was afraid of being killed like former Beatle John Lennon, who was shot dead by a fan in New York.
Prosecutors argued both offenses were serious, and they called Crosby a dangerous man.
Crosby was ordered to appear on or before Sept. 5 with the attorneys who will represent him during his expected appeal.