LAPLACE – A LaPlace man is facing the possibility of life in prison after he pleaded guilty Thursday to dealing crack cocaine in Metairie, according to a release from U.S. Attorney Jim Letten’s office.

Deshon Signal, 34, was arrested Jan. 11, 2010, following a three-month investigation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. According to court documents, Signal sold more than 123 grams of crack cocaine to confidential sources working with the DEA. The investigation documented three separate transactions that originated from various parking lots in Metairie.

On Jan. 11, drug enforcement agents obtained an arrest warrant for Signal as well as a search warrant to get inside Signal’s Metairie apartment at 2308 Houma Blvd. Once inside, agents found another 31 grams of crack, along with two pistols, which were illegal for Signal to have because he was convicted in Jefferson Parish of possession of crack with the intent to distribute in 1996.

Signal pleaded guilty Thursday before U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier to distribution of crack, possession of crack with intent to distribute, being a felon in possession of a gun and possession of a gun in furtherance of a drug crime.

In addition to life in prison, Signal also faces a $4 million fine. Sentencing is scheduled May 19.