Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Lexington Man Sentenced to 180 Months for Drug Trafficking and Firearm Charges
LEXINGTON, Ky.— A Lexington man, Kenneth Jones, 32, was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison on Monday, by U.S. District Judge Karen C. Caldwell, after pleading guilty to two counts of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and two counts of possession of firearm by a convicted felon.
According to Jones’ plea agreement, in August 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant on his residence and vehicle and found two firearms, a .23 caliber pistol and a .40 semi-automatic pistol. Additionally, law enforcement found approximately 25 grams of fentanyl and 192 grams of methamphetamine. Jones admitted that he intended to distribute these narcotics.
Additionally, in February 2021, law enforcement responded to a shooting at a residence, where they found Jones and a woman calling for help. At the residence, officers found a female with a gunshot wound, and Jones in possession of a firearm. During a subsequent search, law enforcement found 125 grams of fentanyl and 391 grams of methamphetamine.
Jones further admitted that he knew he was previously convicted in March 2017 of Trafficking a Controlled Substance First degree, a felony defense, and he was prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Jones pleaded guilty in August 2021.
Under federal law, Jones must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for five years.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Office; and Chief Lawrence Weathers, Lexington Police Department, announced the sentence
The investigation was conducted by ATF and the Lexington Police Department. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Rieker.
This case was prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide, crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety — one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts. In the Eastern District of Kentucky, U.S. Attorney Shier coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.