A Lyons man waited until jury selection was almost over on the opening day of his trial before he pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to drugs and weapons.

Maurice “Mercedes” Southall watched 10 jurors get seated Monday morning at the Cayuga County Court proceeding before he agreed to his culpability on all eight counts of his November indictment.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, four counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, misdemeanor counts of second-degree criminal use of drug paraphernalia, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

In November, officers from the Auburn Police Department, Cayuga County Sheriff's Office and the state police arrested Southall and Marshall Miller. The members of the Finger Lakes Drug Task Force seized narcotics, marijuana, and a loaded shotgun from a Cato hotel, authorities said.

The task force obtained a search warrant based on two previous sales of cocaine in Weedsport and Montezuma. Southall's indictment included charges from all three incidents and totals a possibility of 27 years in prison. Officials set the sentencing for Tuesday, Sept. 25.

“It is now up to the judge to determine an appropriate sentence on Sept. 25. We will review the present investigation report prior to making a sentence recommendation but we will likely be recommending a substantial prison sentence,” District Attorney James B. Vargason announced.

Southall turned down a plea agreement in June.

Miller, of 44 Phelps St. in Lyons, pleaded guilty in March to the felony of attempted third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance. He was sentenced to 2.5 years in state prison and two or three years of post-release supervision. Miller, or “Mott,” admitted selling crack to a police informant in October.

Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311, ext. 267 or

jessica.soule@lee.net