A Carbondale man was sentenced to life imprisonment for involvement in a conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine.

Bryant “B” Maybell, 26, belonged to a group called “JACKMOB,” according to a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration press release, which distributed crack cocaine in Carbondale from at least January 2005 through October 2009. The group often carried guns and distributed the drug mostly in the Jackson Street area.

The life sentence was mandatory because Maybell had two previous state felony drug convictions.

“I hope this prison term, seemingly extreme to some, but fully justified by the law and the facts in this case, will serve as a deterrent to offenders who persist in dealing poison to the communities in southern Illinois,” said Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois.

Maybell was arrested Aug. 6, 2006 for possession of prepackaged crack cocaine. He sold over a fourth of an ounce of the drug to an undercover source for law enforcement March 2, 2007. Agents conducted a search warrant at a Marion home where Maybell and an associate were staying on Nov. 15, 2007. The agents found 92 grams of crack cocaine, 33 grams of cocaine and a loaded 9mm pistol.

According to the press release,  on Aug. 8, 2011 the district judge determined Maybell was responsible for the distribution of 2.8 kilograms of crack cocaine. His possession of a firearm was also taken into account in the ruling.

Maybell’s seven conspirators were sentenced to prison terms that range from 78 to 240 months.

The investigation was conducted by the DEA, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the Murphysboro Police Department, Illinois State Police, Southern Illinois Enforcement Group, the Jackson County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Carbondale Police Department.

“Mr. Maybell made conscious and deliberate decisions to waste his life,” Wigginton said. “Perhaps others can learn from his example. No one takes pleasure in seeing such a waste of a young life.”

Tara Kulash can be reached at [email protected] or 536-3311 ext. 273.