A man convicted of being involved in a large-scale Chattanooga marijuana conspiracy was sentenced Monday to serve almost 22 years in federal prison.
London Cross, 38, had been convicted by a jury after his half-brother, Dequan Lacy, testified against him. Lacy got off with five years and three months.
Judge Sandy Mattice noted it was an emotional case involving family members, and it was emotional in the courtroom at the hearing. One woman, who kept saying, "This ain't right," left before the sentence was ordered. When it was announced, the defendant's sister, cried, "Your honor, please. That's my brother. Listen to me."
Attorney Anthony Martinez termed Cross a "small-time marijuana dealer," but the judge as well as prosecutor Chris Poole said it was a major ring. Judge Mattice said it involved some of the largest quantities of marijuana he has seen.
The jury convicted Cross of conspiracy to sell more than 50 kilgrams of marijuana.
Prosecutor Poole said Cross had mainly been in prison since 1993 and said each time he got out he returned to dealing in drugs.
Cross told the judge, "I apologize for all the hurt I caused. Hopefully, when I get out I will be able to heal a lot of the wounds I've caused."
There was a major forfeiture in the case, including cash amounts of $165,186 and $61,506, and a Silverado pickup truck.