On February 22, 2011 Buju Banton (real name Mark Myrie) was found guilty by a federal jury in Tampa, Florida of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense and using a telephone to facilitate a drug trafficking offense. He was acquitted of a fourth charge which was attempted possession with the intent to distribute cocaine.

The minimum mandatory sentence for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine is ten (10) years. The minimum mandatory sentence for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense is five (5) years to be served consecutively. The third count does not carry a minimum mandatory sentence. Therefore Buju Banton will be facing a minimum mandatory sentence of fifteen (15) years for the charges outlined above which he was convicted.  

The sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled. Buju Banton’s attorney expressed his disappointment with the outcome at a press conference and said “The only person who seems to be okay is Buju. He told us he was happy that he fought, knowing he was innocent.” Banton’s attorney intends to appeal the conviction and to seek Banton’s release on a bond during in the interim. 

Danielle Bullock Bio
Danielle Bullock is an associate attorney at delancyhill, P.A. Ms. Bullock is a Florida attorney practicing in the areas of criminal defense and general civil litigation. Ms. Bullock was raised in Montego Bay, Jamaica and attended Campion College and the University of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica prior to attaining her law degree. She has worked in both the civil and criminal divisions of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit for the State of Florida and has extensive experience in both the prosecution and defense of various matters.