BALLSTON SPA — Two of nine men arrested in a drug sweep connected to Skidmore College pleaded guilty to reduced charges in Saratoga County Court this week.

Assistant District Attorney Alan Poremba said Henry Hester is expected to be sentenced to three years in prison after he pleaded guilty Friday to a charge of attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance.

Hester was one of nine men arrested over the past several months by Saratoga Springs police during an investigation. The other eight suspects are current or former Skidmore College students, according to police, but Hester was never a student at the college.

Police said Hester had moved to California and was brought back to New York under court order.

Undercover police agents bought marijuana, cocaine and other drugs from the men during an investigation that lasted for about 18 months, according to authorities.

Most drug transactions occurred in the downtown area of Saratoga Springs, not on the college campus, police said.

State and federal agents assisted in the investigation, which crossed state lines into Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

On Thursday, Julian Rodier, 22, of Saratoga Springs, pleaded guilty to a charge of attempted sale of a controlled substance in Saratoga County Court.

He is scheduled to be sentenced in July.

Police said there was no college group connection among the men such as a fraternity or club.