Tampa Jury Convicts Reggae Singer Banton On Drug Charges

TAMPA (CBS4) - Grammy-winning reggae singer Buju Banton has the blues after a Tampa jury found him guilty on cocaine conspiracy charges.

During the trial prosecutors argued that the 37-year old Banton, whose given name is Mark Myrie, conspired with two other men in setting up a drug deal. Banton's attorney had countered that his client was entrapped by a confidential informant and got in over his head while trying to impress a man he thought could help his music career. Banton was arrested in a December 2009 sting operation.

A jury deadlocked in his first trial last September.

Banton faces up to life in prison when he's sentenced. The two other men pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with investigators. Their sentencing hearings are scheduled next month.

Banton's 2010 album "Before the Dawn" won a Grammy award for best reggae last week.

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