At his sentencing for participating in a conspiracy to bring cocaine into the city, a Farrell man asked for another chance, but a judge appeared to believe that he has had his last.

Alex Martin, 40, of 809 Lee Ave., was sentenced Monday to 150 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Peter C. Economus, Youngstown.

Martin faced a minimum of 120 months after pleading guilty March 18 to a charge of conspiracy with intent to distribute cocaine and distribution of cocaine.

Martin told Economus that he had never done more than 14 months in prison at one time, although he has served several stints behind bars.

"I never faced this much time," he said of the possibility of 10 years, adding, "I'm not saying what I did was right."

Martin had a "leadership role" in getting 9,755 grams of cocaine -- about 21è pounds -- from California to Farrell, according to his plea agreement.

Martin's attorney, Ralph D. Karsh of Pittsburgh, asked Economus to consider that Martin has a family -- he's a married father of three children -- and attends church.

Noting Martin's age, Karsh said, "Basically, what's left of the prime of his life will be taken."

Economus said he could not ignore the amount of cocaine Martin admitted conspiring to distribute, or his criminal history.

In the part of his criminal history that has been made public, Martin, a Los Angeles native, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in Los Angeles in 1992, and being a felon in possession of a firearm in 1999.

He has been arrested in California on several occasions for drunken driving and still is on probation for that.

The judge added that Martin has been a gang member and has participated in violence.

"Instead of a being a productive member of society, you've really been a destructive member," Economus said. "He's been involved in criminal activity most of his life."

Economus also said involvement in drug trafficking has an effect on others.

"Who knows what harm has been done to others because of this individual's drug activity," he said.

Economus recommended that Martin serve his time at the federal prison in McKean, Pa., but noted that the Bureau of Prisons will make that decision.

He ordered Martin to participate in a drug-treatment program through the Bureau of Prisons, should he be accepted into the program. Economus said he doubted that Martin would be accepted because of the violence in his past, but participation could shave a year off Martin's sentence.

Upon release from prison, Martin was ordered to undergo drug treatment.

Martin also was sentenced to 5 years' supervised release -- the federal equivalent of probation -- after his prison term and to pay a $5,000 fine and a $100 special assessment.

Upon sentencing, the U.S. Attorney's Office asked for dismissal of a charge of aiding and abetting possession with intent to distribute cocaine, which Economus granted.

The chain of events that led to Martin's arrest began April 10 in Thomas County, Kan., when state troopers stopped a sport-utility vehicle for a traffic violation, according to testimony presented by the Drug Enforcement Agency at a hearing.

Police learned that the SUV was owned by Terry Hunter of Campbell, Ohio -- an alias of Martin's -- and the three occupants gave conflicting stories as to where they were headed.

During a search, police found a hidden compartment containing the cocaine.

One of the occupants, Roger Williams, 36, of Moreno Valley, Calif., admitted he was taking the cocaine to Farrell for Martin, and agreed to cooperate with investigators.

Williams continued to Youngstown with investigators and called Martin, who told him to proceed to Farrell and park the SUV in Martin's garage.

Martin was in California at the time.

At the behest of investigators, Williams called Martin again and said he had hit a deer, disabling the SUV.

Martin called Ramon "Mo-Man" Wright, 35, of Forest Park, Ohio, and asked him to arrange to tow the SUV to Martin's garage.

Wright was in Boardman, Ohio, at the time, and Williams told investigators Wright probably would accept the cocaine for Martin.

Wright was arrested in Boardman at the motel where Williams said he was staying.

Wright also cooperated with investigators, and the SUV was towed to Farrell.

Martin's home was searched April 13, the same day Martin was arrested as he stepped off an airplane at Cleveland-Hopkins Airport.

Officials said the amount of cocaine in the SUV was worth about $250,000.

Wright and Williams pleaded guilty in September to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine.

Wright, formerly of Farrell, Sharon and Slippery Rock, was sentenced Dec. 10 to 95 months in prison and 4 years' supervised release.

Williams, formerly of Girard, Ohio, was sentenced Dec. 6 to 105 months in prison and 5 years' supervised release.

Each also was ordered to pay a $3,000 fine and a $100 special assessment.