Two Marion men were sentenced in federal court Wednesday for their participation in a drug ring that operated from Texas to Georgia.

John C. Stevenson, 43, and Wesley Bartholomew Tubbs, 45, will face years in prison on drug distribution and money laundering charges.

Tubbs was sentenced to more than 20 years (250 months). He was also ordered to forfeit $356,000.

Stevenson was sentenced to more than 10 years (121 months). He will receive credit for 39 months already spent in custody.

Federal charges were brought against Stevenson and Tubbs after a three-year investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and other law enforcement agencies.

According to court documents, Tubbs started selling drugs again soon after he was released from federal prison after serving time for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine.

Prosecutors say Tubbs hired couriers to transport drugs, both marijuana and cocaine, from Texas, Atlanta and Fort Wayne, Indiana to Alabama. The drugs were distributed in Marion and Selma.

Stevenson was identified as one of the couriers who transported drugs for Tubbs.

As for the money laundering charges, prosecutors say Tubbs used other people to deposit proceeds from drug deals at national banks.

Tubbs or others would then make withdrawals in different cities to keep the scheme going and avoid to possibility of seizure.

Stevenson admitted to making some of these deposits as directed by Tubbs.