SPARTANBURG MAN RECEIVES 20-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE FOR DRUG CONVICTION

A Spartanburg man has received a 20-year prison sentence for possessing nearly 9 grams of crack cocaine.

Robert Foster, 42, was found guilty of possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute at the conclusion of a jury trial late Tuesday. He will serve 85 percent of Circuit Judge Derham Cole’s prison sentence before he can be released.

Spartanburg Public Safety officers arrested Foster on Oct. 3, 2007 in the Highland community. An officer approached Foster on Norris Street twice in a short time span and told him loitering wasn’t allowed in the area. The officer returned a third time and arrested Foster because he had not moved. Foster dropped a crack pipe under a police car that was recovered and placed into evidence.

Officers found a bag containing 8.74 grams of crack cocaine during the booking process at the county jail. Foster dropped the bag in a garbage can at the jail. Officers believe he had the bag in his mouth when he was arrested.

Foster’s criminal history dates back to 1985 with convictions for armed robbery, unlawful carrying of a weapon, assault & battery and multiple drug offenses.