A Lawrence man was indicted Thursday by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Kan., on four counts related to the distribution of crack cocaine last month in Lawrence.

Andre Lamar Ivory, 27, was charged with distributing crack cocaine on March 18 and 19 and distributing more than five grams of crack cocaine on March 19 and 21. All charges, issued by Eric Melgren, the U.S. Attorney for the district of Kansas, stem from events that happened in Lawrence.

Ivory pleaded not guilty at an arraignment hearing Thursday in Kansas City, Kan., said Scott Rask, the assistant U.S. attorney prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Ivory could face up to 20 years in federal prison without parole for each count of distributing crack cocaine. Each count of distributing more than five grams of crack cocaine could yield between five and 40 years without parole.

Ivory made his first court appearance March 25. After a detention hearing on March 29, Ivory was taken to the U.S. Federal Penitentiary at Leavenworth by the U.S. Marshals Service.

Ivory waived a second detention hearing and will be held in Leavenworth pending trial, Rask said.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Lawrence Police Department’s Drug Enforcement Unit investigated the case and charged Ivory by complaint on March 22 when the grand jury was not in session. Spokespersons from both offices declined to comment on the case Thursday.