Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Lexington Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Drug Trafficking, Firearm Offenses and Being an Armed Career Criminal and Career Offender
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Michael D. Jackson, 37, of Lexington, was sentenced yesterday to 25 years in federal prison, by Chief United States District Judge Karen K. Caldwell, for conspiring to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl, more than an ounce of crack cocaine, and more than half a kilo of cocaine. Jackson was also sentenced for being a felon in possession of firearms and for possessing a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking crime. Jackson’s convictions, combined with his prior criminal record, qualified Jackson as both an Armed Career Criminal and Career Offender.
Jackson previously admitted that, in early 2017, members of the Lexington Police Department (LPD), Narcotics Unit began an investigation into his residence, which was located on Norway Street, near Lafayette High School. During the investigation, LPD stopped and searched Jackson’s vehicle, discovering a 9 mm firearm and large quantities of drugs. LPD detectives also executed a search on his residence, where they located quantities of a fentanyl mixture and cocaine, more than $80,000 in cash, a loaded Taurus handgun, a loaded Glock semi-automatic pistol, a loaded Cobra semi-automatic pistol, which was determined to have been stolen, and a vehicle that had been purchased with proceeds from Jackson’s drug trafficking.
Jackson also admitted that he had prior drug trafficking convictions in Fayette Circuit Court. Jackson pleaded guilty to the charges in April 2018.
“The Defendant’s drug trafficking activities, possession of firearms, and past criminal history have led to this result,” stated Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “The sentence imposed should serve as warning to those who engage in similar criminal activities. If you illegally possess firearms, particularly if you are engaged in drug trafficking, you are putting yourself at risk for a substantial stay in federal prison.”
“I want to commend the work of the ATF and the Lexington Police Department on this investigation and prosecution,” said U.S. Attorney Duncan. “The partnership between federal, state, and local law enforcement is vitally important in preventing violent crime and reducing the danger caused by drug trafficking activities.”
Under federal law, Jackson must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence; and upon his release, he will be under the supervision of the United States Probation Office for eight years.
United States Attorney Duncan; Stuart Lowery, Special Agent in Charge, ATF; and Chief Lawrence Weathers of the Lexington Police Department, jointly made the announcement.
The investigation was conducted by the ATF and the Lexington Police Department. The United States was represented by Assistant United States Attorney Roger W. West.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
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