¶1Richard Phillip Ieyoub, Baton Rouge, Morgan J. Goudeau III, Opelousas, Donald J. Richard, Asst. Dist. Atty., for State.
¶2Herschel Glenn Marcantel Jr., Mamou, for Antonio Fernandez Willis.
¶3Before COOKS, WOODARD and AMY, JJ.
¶4COOKS, Judge.
¶5Defendant, Antonio Willis, was charged by bill of information with possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance (schedule IIcocaine) in violation of La.R.S. 40:967(A)(1). Willis was found guilty as charged by a jury. He was sentenced to serve five years at hard labor, six months of which was suspended. On appeal, Willis contends his sentence is excessive. However, we note an error patent in the sentencing.
¶6Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Article 893 allows a trial judge to suspend imposition or execution of a sentence after a first or second conviction for a noncapital felony, but defendant must be placed on probation. The record shows Willis was not placed on probation as required by Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Article 893. The mandatory probation requirement of this provision compels that we must vacate Willis' sentence and remand the case for resentencing pursuant to Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Article 893. See State v. Fann,597 So.2d 1230 (La.App. 3 Cir.1992).
¶7SENTENCE VACATED AND CASE REMANDED.