Mankato coach sentenced on weapons charge

MANKATO, Minn. (AP) -- A former Mankato youth baseball coach has been sentenced to just more than five years and six months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

A federal court sentenced 30-year-old Marcus Devon Smith on Monday. Prosecutors had asked for a longer sentence while the defense requested five years, noting that Smith had served as a Mankato Area Youth Baseball Association coach.

Smith was arrested Nov. 4, 2007, after investigators said they found more than 12 ounces of cocaine and three handguns in his home. The state charges were dismissed after he challenged the seach warrant.

However, the gun charge was filed in federal court. He pleaded guilty in January. He'll get credit for the time he's already spent in custody.