A Springfield resident was found guilty of drug trafficking charges after a three-day trial in federal court. Marcus Hicks, 43, was convicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, one count of possession of cocaine base (commonly known as crack cocaine), and one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana. The verdict was delivered by a jury in Springfield.
U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni has set sentencing for January 27, 2026. Hicks had been indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2023.
According to evidence presented at trial, on November 21, 2022, Hicks possessed 97 grams of cocaine, 15 grams of crack cocaine, and two and one-half pounds of marijuana intended for distribution.
The convictions carry significant penalties. Each charge related to the possession with intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine allows for up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and fines reaching $1 million. The marijuana-related charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison along with similar terms for supervised release and fines. Sentencing decisions will be made by the federal district court judge according to U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes.
“United States Attorney Leah B. Foley, Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration in New England, Holyoke Police Chief Brian Keenan and Superintendent Lawrence Akers of the Springfield Police Department made the announcement today.” Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd E. Newhouse from the Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
