THE SELMA TIMES-JOURNAL

Another member of the St. Phillips Street gang has been sentenced to serve time in a federal prison.

On Tuesday, U.S. District Chief Judge Callie V.S. Granade sentenced Antwand Norwood of Selma to serve 176 months &8212; more than 14 years &8212; in federal prison. Norwood pleaded guilty in October 2006 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana, cocaine and crack cocaine.

In federal court, Norwood admitted that he worked with others to sell crack cocaine in the 1400 block of St. Phillips Street in Selma and elsewhere.

Norwood and about 12 others named in the indictment were investigated by Selma police officers and agents from Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for nearly a year.

Court records show the officers used pole cameras at each end of the block, informants, undercover purchases and “pick-offs” of drug purchasers to catch the group, who purchased their drugs from outside sources.

Norwood agreed with others named in the indictment to sell in excess of 50 grams of cocaine base, also known as crack cocaine, but the government could not agree with Norwood exactly how much crack he was held responsible for selling.

Nearly all of the members of the gang have pleaded guilty in the case. Norwood is among the last to be sentenced.