By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

COLUMBIANA – A 29-year-old Montevallo man has pleaded not guilty and is set to appear in court in March 2017 after he was indicted on multiple charges alleging he attempted to sell synthetic marijuana to local high school students.

A Shelby County grand jury during its October session returned a nine-count indictment against Derrick Demetrius Reed, who lists an address on Shelby County 223 in Montevallo, upholding five charges of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, one count of trafficking synthetic marijuana, one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, one count of first-degree possession of marijuana and one count of illegal possession of a firearm.

Reed has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and is set to appear in Shelby County Circuit Court on March 17 for arraignment.

He has remained in the Shelby County Jail since he was arrested by the Shelby County Drug Enforcement Task Force on March 11. When Reed was arrested in March, he had only been out of jail for two weeks after posting bond for multiple other drug distribution charges.

Task Force Commander Lt. Clay Hammac previously said deputies arrested Reed in Montevallo while the suspect allegedly was conducting an active drug deal.

During the arrest, deputies found Reed to be in possession of more than 500 grams of synthetic marijuana packaged for sale and two illegal firearms, Hammac said. The Task Force estimated the street value of the synthetic marijuana recovered in the arrest was about $31,000.

Hammac said the synthetic marijuana, which can lead to seizures, unconsciousness and even death, was intended for distribution in Montevallo High School, Pelham High School, Calera High School, Thompson High School and Helena High School.

Trafficking synthetic marijuana is a Class A felony, and carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment upon conviction.