The Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals on Friday upheld the conviction of Nathaniel “Chubby” Edwards, 45, of Opp on charges of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.

Edwards was convicted following a two-day jury trial on May 22, 2009, for selling crack cocaine to a confidential informant during an undercover operation conducted by the Alabama Beverage Control Board, said district attorney Greg Gambril.

Following his conviction, Edwards was sentenced by Circuit Court Judge Charles “Lex” Short to the minimum sentence of 25 years in prison.

Gambril said Edwards had previous felony convictions for dealing drugs and sold the drugs within three miles of a school and a housing project – each factors that increased the minimum sentence. Despite the lengthy sentence, Gambril said he expects Edwards will likely be considered for parole soon.