A man who had been out of prison just six months after serving 12 years on a drug conviction is headed back -- this time for almost six years.

Roddell Smalls, 34, of the North Side, pleaded guilty in federal court to his role in receiving a 335-pound package of marijuana via UPS last year.

According to an affidavit filed in the case, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration were alerted by UPS employees of a suspicious package that arrived at the Chartiers Township facility on May 15.

Inside the 3-foot-by-3-foot wooden crate, agents found 335 pounds of marijuana, which had been shipped from San Diego to Pittsburgh.

The package was being shipped to Metal Cabinets Manufacture. After the marijuana was found, agents set up a controlled delivery.

According to the affidavit, a man named William England signed for the package.

Mr. Smalls, who was doing surveillance of the UPS facility when the pickup occurred, was later arrested as the marijuana was being removed from the crate.

Also charged was Cecil Lee Pinnix, who also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute marijuana. He will be sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Alan N. Bloch on June 5.

The charges against Mr. England were dismissed in December, according to a motion by the government, "in the interests of justice."

According to the affidavit, Mr. Pinnix told the agents that he and Mr. Smalls were involved in the conspiracy but that Mr. England was never told what was in the parcel.

During yesterday's hearing, the grandmother to Mr. Smalls' child asked the judge for leniency.

But Judge Bloch dismissed the notion, citing Mr. Smalls' quick return to the drug business.

"What has he done that deserves leniency?" he asked.