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Buju Banton to Be Sentenced in June

Posted Mar 10th 2011 11:15AM by Steven J. Horowitz
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After being found guilty on cocaine-related charges in February, reggae star Buju Banton has been given a sentencing date. The Jamaica native is scheduled to go before a judge on June 16 for sentencing for three drug-related charges stemming from a retrial from a December 2009 case. The singer faces up to 20 years in prison.

Last month, the 37-year-old, whose real name is Mark Myrie, was found guilty for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilos or more of a substance containing cocaine; aiding and abetting others in using a communication facility in the commission of a felony; and attempting to acquire five kilos or more of the white drug.

The case stems from a bust where he attempted to buy drugs from undercover cops at a warehouse, though he countered by claiming that he was only there to inspect a boat. Upon entering the establishment, he was surprised to see cocaine on the premises. The deliberation over whether he was at fault ended in a mistrial by U.S. District Judge James Moody, but the case was reopened in February in Tampa, Florida.

"Buju is optimistic and hopeful," said his lawyer, David Markus, at the time. "He is in good spirits. He is a rock. No one realizes how hard it is to fight the federal government in one trial, let alone two."

Watch Buju Banton's 'Driver A'

Filed under: Busted, Reggae
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3 Comments

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yonkewi

"jah knows HE's innocent..yeah!!"

March 10 2011 at 1:06 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Attorney Roxann

Just for clarification, it is an undisputed fact that Buju did not know that he was going to be presented drugs at the warehouse, but was instead told he was going to be shown a boat. All parties agree to that fact. In fact the DEA agent testified that the feds do not tell prospective purchasers that they will be shown drugs because of safety concerns for the agents. And since he was not convicted or charged with anything related to the warehouse drugs on the date he was shown the drugs, he was convicted on circumstantial evidence that he was somehow a cohort with those who returned two days later to attempt to purchase the drugs. JAH sees and knows the unbridled truth, and not just the man-made version presented in court.

March 10 2011 at 12:34 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to Attorney Roxann's comment

yonkewi

You are so right about that!!! Definitely a man-made version. A hung-jury should've been evidence that there was something wrong with the validity of this trial to begin with! I'm so upset this is happening to di one Gargamel....huge injustice. This is a good man, he doesn't deserve this.

March 10 2011 at 1:05 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

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