A 37-year-old Victoria man will serve nine years in prison after being convicted for a third time for distributing cocaine.

Ronnie Carvel Jones Jr. was sentenced in Lunenburg Circuit Court recently on the felony charge, Commonwealth’s Attorney Robert Clement said in a press release.

“The local drug task force, under the direction of Sgt. Adam Martin of the Lunenburg Sheriff’s Office, conducted undercover purchases of cocaine and marijuana from Jones on May 8, June 9 and June 24, 2015 in the Town of Victoria. The purchases ranged in price from $200 to $375,” Clement said.

Jones pled guilty in March to two counts of distribution of cocaine and one count of felony distribution of marijuana, Clement said.

“The sentence was imposed by Circuit Court Judge Leslie M. Osborn after considering a presentence report and arguments of counsel.”

In addition to his active sentence, Jones received a 41-year suspended sentence subject to conditions of good behavior for 50 years, supervised probation for three years, warrantless searches, substance abuse counseling and restitution of $1,360.

“Jones has prior convictions of grand larceny of a firearm, damaging property, burglary, distribution of drugs in 1998, distribution of drugs in 2005, probation violations and felony eluding police in 2012,” Clement said.

Sentencing guidelines recommended a range of six years and five months to 10 years and six months, Clement said.

“Jones testified at the sentencing hearing and admitted that he sold the drugs to make extra money even though he had a full-time job. Jones reported that he was not actively using the drugs himself and admitted that he did it for the money,” Clement said in the release.