A Columbus man will spend 50 years in prison for drug charges after he lost an appeal in the Mississippi Court of Appeals on Tuesday.
Shawn Lamont Doss, 35, pleaded guilty to felony possession of marijuana with intent to distribute in November 2008. Doss had more than five kilograms of marijuana in his possession at the time of his arrest.
As part of his plea deal, the state agreed to a 20-year sentence but a judge increased the sentencing to 50 years when Doss failed to appear for the sentencing hearing. The judge cited the accused’s prior drug convictions as part of the reason for the extended sentence.
Doss appealed the sentencing, claiming the judge should have followed the original plea deal or allowed him to withdraw his guilty plea when he learned of the increased sentencing.
The Mississippi Court of Appeals denied his claim on Tuesday.
Sarah Fowler covered crime, education and community related events for The Dispatch.
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