'Sell Drugz' rapper gets strict sentence for selling drugs

A Lebanon County judge did not go easy on rapper Michael Anthony Persaud when sentencing him last week following his conviction for selling thousands of dollars worth of heroin.

Court of Common Pleas Judge Charles T. Jones Jr. sentenced Persaud to eight to 30 years in state prison, plus fines and court costs. The sentence will only begin after Persaud finishes a term in federal prison for similar charges in Rhode Island.

The Lebanon County District Attorney's office said Persaud, a Rhode Island resident, sold an undercover police officer 70 bags of heroin for $300. Police then searched Persaud's hotel room at the Days Inn at 625 Quentin Road and found $11,500 worth of additional heroin.

Persaud is a rapper also known by the stage name Montana Millz, according to a news release from the district attorney's office. His songs include "Sell Drugz," "Gun Play," "Armed and Ready" and "Picture Me Rollin'."

Background: Rapper one of two arrested for selling heroin in city

More: Rhode Island rapper found guilty of dealing heroin

A jury found Persaud guilty in August of six counts of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver, four related conspiracy charges, five counts of criminal use of a communications facility, and individual counts of intent to possess a controlled substance by a person not registered, and use or possession of drug paraphernalia. It acquitted him of being an employee of a corrupt organization, knowledge that property is proceeds of an illegal act, and four conspiracy charges.

None of the charges for which Persaud was found guilty carried a minimum charge of more than 18 months, according to court records. However, Jones sentenced him to serve prison terms consecutively on six of the counts, adding up to the eight-year minimum sentence.

Tiffany Irizarry, the mother of Persaud's child, was also charged by police in connection with the incident. However, a Lebanon County jury acquitted her of all charges in August.