Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

FRANKFORT, Ky. - A Montgomery County, Ky., man, Scotty Allen Jones, 48, was sentenced on Thursday to 268 months in federal prison, by U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove, for distributing a fentanyl and heroin mixture, possessing acetylfentanyl with intent to distribute, possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and being a felon in possession of firearms.

As part of his plea agreement, Jones admitted that, in September 2018, he sold quantities of heroin and fentanyl mixtures to a confidential informant, who was working with law enforcement. During one of the drug transactions, Jones admitted to possessing a firearm for the purpose of furthering his drug trafficking.

Jones also admitted to pawning at least two firearms, at a local pawn shop in Mt. Sterling, Ky., in February 2019. Jones has prior felony convictions for drug trafficking and burglary, and was prohibited from possessing firearms.

In March 2019, officers with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife attempted to arrest Jones on several outstanding warrants, while Jones was at a gas station in Jeffersonville, Ky. Jones fled from the officers, and after vehicle and foot pursuits, Jones was apprehended. Upon his arrest, Jones was found in possession of 10 grams of acetylfentanyl, a dangerous Schedule I controlled substance. As part of his plea agreement, Jones admitted that intended to distribute the acetylfentanyl in his possession.

Jones further admitted to possessing eight firearms, which were discovered by law enforcement during a search of barn in Jeffersonville, in April 2019.

Jones pleaded guilty in July 2020.

Under federal law, Jones 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 six years.

Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division; Acting Commissioner Lt. Colonel Phillip Burnett, Kentucky State Police; and Colonel Eric Gibson, Law Enforcement Director, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by ATF, KSP, and the KY Dept. of Fish and Wildlife. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francisco Villalobos.

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 Duncan, coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.

This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. Click here for more information about Project Guardian.

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