NO DEAL: 100 YEARS IN DRUG CASE

FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- A drug dealer who rejected a plea agreement that
called for six years behind bars has instead been sentenced by a
judge to 100 years in prison.

Sharico Devon Blakely, 28, was unfazed by the sentence Monday and
maintained his innocence during the hearing as he interrupted his
attorney, insulted the prosecutor and challenged Allen Superior Court
Judge Kenneth R. Scheibenberger.

"I'll be back. Soon," he told the judge.

"The last guy that said that to me is still in prison," Scheibenberger replied.

"I'm an innocent man," Blakely protested.

"So is Charles Manson," Scheibenberger said

Blakely was convicted last month on three counts of dealing cocaine
and possession with intent to distribute for selling more than 3
ounces of crack and powder cocaine to a confidential police informant
in May. Police also found nearly 2 ounces of cocaine in his apartment
along with marijuana, prescription pain medication, a gun and nearly
$5,000 in cash.

Deputy Prosecutor Jeff Stineburg asked Scheibenberger to give Blakely
the maximum sentence of 100 years because of his record, which starts
as a juvenile, includes three convictions for delinquency, one of
which was for cocaine possession; and as an adult, 13 misdemeanors
and four felonies, three of which were for dealing cocaine.

Scheibenberger sentenced Blakely to 50 years in prison for the three
dealing charges, to run concurrently, and an additional 50 years for
the possession with intent charge, to run consecutively to the
dealing charge for a total of 100 years. It's the most time
Scheibenberger has ever given a defendant on drug-dealing charges, he said.

Under Indiana law, inmates can earn one day of credit for every day
they behave in jail, often cutting their sentences in half. This
could allow Blakely to complete his sentence in 50 years.