Celebrity news, gossip, photos

TAMPA, Florida (Reuters) - Jamaican reggae star and Grammy succeeder Buju Banton was institute blameable on federal take charges on Tuesday and could grappling 15 eld to chronicle in prison.

A 12-member commission in metropolis institute Banton, 37, blameable of conspiring with digit another men to possess 11 pounds (5 kg) or more of cocaine in Sarasota, Florida, in December 2009. The verdict came after a four-day trial.

Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, won a Grammy for the best reggae album of 2010 for "Before the Dawn" on February 13. He was unable to attend the ceremony in Los Angeles because he was preparing for the start of his effort the incoming period in Tampa.

Banton testified at the effort that he was entrapped by federal communicator Alexander Johnson and never wanted to acquire drugs. Banton said he met Johnson on a transatlantic flight and talked most drugs to impress him because he thought Johnson had connections in the music industry.

Jurors were shown a recording of Banton tasting cocaine in a town warehouse digit days before his digit associates were arrested disagreeable to acquire the drugs from an undercover officer. Banton was arrested at his home in Miami.

About 20 supporters of Banton prayed for his acquittal in the corridor of the U.S. District Courthouse while the commission deliberated.

This was Banton's ordinal effort on the take charges. The first effort ended last assemblage when the commission could not concord on a verdict.

A sentencing date has not been scheduled.

(Editing by Jane Sutton)