By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – A Lutcher man was sentenced this week to more than 21 years in prison for his role in a scheme to possess and distribute large quantities of cocaine, according to a release from U.S. Attorney Jim Letten’s office.

Marquis Mitchell, 32, who pleaded guilty to a four-count indictment in December, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge L.C. Feldman in federal court in New Orleans. Feldman ordered Mitchell to serve a 262-month prison sentence.

Mitchell pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride, one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride, one count of distribution of 50 grams or more of cocaine base and one count of distribution of a quantity of cocaine base.

According to court records, between Jan. 8, 2010, and Feb. 12, 2010, Mitchell did knowingly and intentionally combine, conspire, confederate and agree with other persons to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine hydrochloride. Mitchell knowingly and intentionally possessed and distributed at least 50 grams of cocaine base and cocaine hydrochloride.

According to the release, the conspiracy count carries a mandatory minimum term of 10 years imprisonment and a maximum term of life imprisonment. The 50-gram distribution count carries a mandatory minimum term of 10 years imprisonment and a maximum term of life imprisonment.

The remaining charges against the Lutcher man carry a maximum term of 30 years imprisonment.