District Attorney Warren Montgomery reported that Franklinton resident Kendrick Taylor, 38, was found guilty on Tuesday, Feb. 24, of attempted possession of 28-200 grams of cocaine.

The 12-person Washington Parish Jury deliberated for an hour before returning the guilty verdict to 22nd Judicial District Judge Martin Coady. Assistant District Attorney Nick Noriea Jr. prosecuted the state’s case.

On July 15, 2013, after a motel employee discovered that the defendant was processing crack cocaine in his motel room, the Franklinton Police Department established surveillance. Subsequently, when the defendant returned and saw the police, he fled through an adjacent drainage canal. Police officials located more than 175 grams of cocaine in the drainage canal while attempting to apprehend the defendant. He was arrested when he exited the canal.

Coady will sentence Taylor on March 6. Attempted possession of 28-200 grams of cocaine is punishable by imprisonment for up to 15 years. Taylor could face from 7 1/2 to 30 years in prison if found to be a career criminal because of a prior armed robbery conviction in 1998.