Amite- A Ponchatoula man was sentenced to 25 years with the Department of Corrections for Distribution of Schedule II Narcotics, Hydromorphone, also known by the retail name Dilaudid, according to District Attorney Scott M. Perrilloux.

Herbert Gibson, 33, of 28356 Oak Street, pleaded no contest to the charge and was sentenced on January 24, 2012. Jury selection had begun in Gibson’s trial, and five jurors had been selected when the defendant chose to change his plea. As a habitual offender, had a jury convicted him, Gibson may have faced life in prison.

The defendant was out on bond for a prior arrest when he was arrested on October 7, 2009. The arrest occurred after a controlled drug buy set up by the Tri-Parish Narcotics Task Force and DEA agents. This was six days before his October 13th trial on the prior arrest, where he was convicted of Possession of Cocaine and Possession of Heroin.

The 25-year sentence is to be served concurrently with the 10-year sentence resulting from that crime.

Assistant District Attorneys Brad Berner and Britain sledge prosecuted the case, with Judge Doug Hughes presiding, said Perrilloux.