Four indicted in Auburn drug sting

A five-month undercover narcotics investigation by the Auburn Police Department has led to the recent arrest and indictment of alleged drug dealers, police said.

A Lee County grand jury indicted Sylvester Alexander, 46, of Auburn, on three counts of unlawful distribution of cocaine, Ramona Sheneice Marshall, 31, of Auburn, on one count of unlawful distribution of cocaine, Judy Beth Willis, 46, of Alexander City, Alabama, on two counts of unlawful distribution of cocaine and Marcus Jermaine Philpot, 28, of Loachapoka, Alabama, on two counts of unlawful distribution of cocaine and one count of unlawful distribution of marijuana.

All were arrested over the past two weeks during the department's five-month long undercover sting aimed at reducing street-level drug dealing in the Auburn area. The investigation, which began in March, was conducted with the help of an undercover officer provided by the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board Law Enforcement Division. The officer infiltrated local drug circle and was able to purchase marijuana and cocaine from several individuals.

Unlawful distribution of a controlled substance is a class B felony. Punishment for each count ranges from two to 20 years imprisonment and up to $10,000 in fines. Unlawful possession of cocaine is a class C felony. Punishment for each count ranges from one to 10 years imprisonment and up to $5,000 in fines.