Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Michigan Man Sentenced to 280 Months for Armed Fentanyl Trafficking
LEXINGTON, Ky. — A Detroit man, D’Angelo S. Yarbrough, 31, was sentenced to 280 months in federal prison on Monday by U.S. District Judge Karen K. Caldwell for possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to Yarbrough’s plea agreement, on Sept. 22, 2022, Yarbrough was arrested by law enforcement for an outstanding arrest warrant at the Bluegrass Airport. During a search of Yarbrough’s vehicle, law enforcement located approximately 60 grams of pressed fentanyl pills, along with narcotics trafficking equipment including a blender, a press and a large quantity of cutting agents. In addition to these items, officers also located a loaded firearm, which was determined to be machinegun.
Yarbrough pleaded guilty to the charges in August 2023.
Under federal law, Yarbrough must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence, and upon his release, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for five years.
Carlton S. Shier IV, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Michael E. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division; and Chief Lawrence Weathers, Lexington Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI, ATF and Lexington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paco Villalobos prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
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.
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