By Cathy Locke
clocke@sacbee.com
A Roseville barber who authorities say continued to commit crimes while on probation has been sentenced to 13 years in state prison after pleading guilty to selling cocaine out of the shop where he worked.
Darin Durel Blockton (photo left), 24, was sentenced Friday by Placer Superior Court Judge Mark S. Curry, who revoked Blockton's probation and fined him $5,000, according to a news release from the Placer County District Attorney's office.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Suzanne Gazzaniga said Blockton was placed on probation in Placer County in 2006 for transporting cocaine.
"While he was on probation, he continued to commit crimes in both Placer and Sacramento counties," Gazzaniga said in the news release.
Blockton received two additional grants of probation in Placer County and also was given probation in Sacramento County for participating in street gang activity, Gazzaniga said.
Last year, the Roseville Police Department received a tip that Blockton, a barber, was selling drugs out of his shop. He was placed under surveillance and on April 30, 2009, police observed a drug deal between Blockton and a man who drove into the shop's parking lot.
After the transaction, officers followed the car and later stopped the driver, who tossed a baggie of cocaine underneath the vehicle as he got out, Gazzaniga said. Blockton was found at the barbershop with $1,713 in cash.
Cell phone and text messages between Blockton and the driver indicated that the two had arranged a drug deal, Gazzaniga said.
She said Blockton could face additional incarceration for violating probation in Sacramento County.
Call The Bee's Cathy Locke, (916) 321-5287.
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