A Jacksonville man will be going to federal prison for five years for conspiring to sell crack.
According to a Department of Justice, Maurice Mervin, 41, was sentenced to five years in prison for conspiring to distribute crack cocaine and for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. He must also forfeit a Dodge Challenger that he used in his drug business.
Mervin pleaded guilty in 2016.
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According to court documents, Mervin lived with his family in a suburban area of southern Duval County. Each day he would drive an excess of 20 miles to Jacksonville's north side to manage and supple crack houses operated by people who worked under him.
Special agents from ATF executed multiple search warrants which led to finding equipment and chemicals used to cook crack cocaine, a firearm and ammunition.
According to the press release from the Department of Justice, this case was prosecuted as part of "Project Safe Neighborhoods" which is a nationwide crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crimes in communities.