Eastern District of Kentucky

A federal grand jury in Lexington returned an indictment this afternoon charging Brailen Weaver with one count of attempted armed bank robbery, resulting in the death of two victims, and two counts of causing death with a firearm in the course of a crime of violence. The grand jury also returned special findings that can support the death penalty. The maximum punishment for the charged offenses is death.

 Any indictment is an accusation only. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. 

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Erlanger-based manufacturing companies, Post Glover Lifelink, Inc. and Post Glover Resistors, Inc., agreed to pay $2,500,000 to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act, a federal law that prohibits the submission of false or fraudulent claims.

Congress created the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to provide emergency financial assistance to small American businesses struggling to pay employees and other expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the PPP, eligible small businesses could receive forgivable loans guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Borrowers were required to certify in their applications that they were eligible for the requested loans and that the information they provided was true and accurate. Regulations provided various eligibility requirements for the PPP, including limitations on the number of employees.

The settlement resolves allegations that Post Glover Lifelink, Inc. and Post Glover Resistors, Inc. falsely certified they were eligible to apply for and receive forgiveness of their second-draw PPP loans. The Government contends that, together with their foreign affiliates, Post Glover Lifelink, Inc. and Post Glover Resistors, Inc. collectively had more than 300 employees and were therefore ineligible for their second-draw PPP loans. Post Glover Lifelink, Inc. and Post Glover Resistors, Inc. fully cooperated in the investigation and resolution of this matter.

The settlement resolves a lawsuit brought by a private citizen under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act. Under those provisions, a private party can file a civil action on behalf of the United States, thereby bringing allegations of fraud to the Government’s attention, and share in any financial recovery. As part of this resolution, the individual who filed the qui tam complaint is eligible to receive a portion of the settlement proceeds. The civil case is captioned United States ex rel. Aidan Forsyth, v. Post Glover Lifelink, Inc. and Post Glover Resistors, Inc., Case No. 2:25-cv-29-DLB-CJS.

This matter was handled by the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, with assistance from the SBA’s Office of General Counsel. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability.

– END –

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Former Federal Medical Center Lexington Correctional officer, Ryan Carnahan, 32, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, before U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell for deprivation of rights resulting in bodily injury and making a false report.

According to his plea agreement, on June 28, 2025, Carnahan was on-duty at FMC Lexington when he decided to make entry into the cell of a Special Housing Unit inmate after getting into a verbal altercation with the inmate. Carnahan, along with two other officers, made entry without the inmate or his cellmate being placed into handcuffs. When Carnahan entered the cell, he began slapping the inmate’s face. As a result of being slapped, the inmate hit Carnahan, who then grabbed the inmate and punched him. 

After the incident, Carnahan wrote a report that the inmate had been handcuffed before he and the other officers went into his cell, and that Carnahan was searching the cell when the inmate slipped his handcuffs and assaulted him. Carnahan admitted in his plea agreement that he wrote these things knowing that they were false, but that he wrote the false report to impede the administration of justice regarding the investigation of the unlawful assault on the inmate.

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; and Matthew Loux, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Department of Justice Office of Inspector General, Chicago Field Office; jointly announced the guilty plea.

The investigation was conducted by DOJ-OIG. The U.S. Attorney’s Office was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Greenfield. 

Carnahan is scheduled to be sentenced on August 20. He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison. 

— END — 

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The operators of a day treatment program for children with behavioral and mental health needs have agreed to a civil judgment of $15,248,240.66 in favor of the United States to resolve allegations that they defrauded the Kentucky and Ohio Medicaid programs.

The judgment, announced today by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, is part of a civil settlement resolving allegations that Recovery Center of Kentucky, LLC, Recovery Center of Ohio, LLC, Recovery Center of Maryland, LLC, their parent company, Recovery Center of USA, and CEO, Dr. Warrick Stewart, violated the False Claims Act, a federal statute that prohibits the submission of false claims for payment to Government programs, such as Medicaid.

According to the settlement agreement, Recovery Center of Kentucky and Recovery Center of Ohio operated the Aspire Day Program, which provided day treatment services to children with behavioral and mental health needs in Elizabethtown, Lexington, Louisville, and Radcliff, Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio. Day treatment services for children typically include individual and group therapy, among other behavioral health services, and can be provided in collaboration with other activities like education. While the Kentucky and Ohio Medicaid programs cover day treatment, they only pay for children’s time spent receiving behavioral health services; they do not pay for any non-healthcare activities. The Government alleged that, from August 2022 through June 2025, the Recovery Centers nonetheless sought Medicaid payments for time spent on children’s education, recreation, and lunch breaks at the Aspire Day Program. As a result, the Recovery Centers allegedly received millions in Medicaid reimbursements to which they were not entitled.

Additionally, the Government alleged that Recovery Center of Kentucky falsely represented the qualifications of some of their clinicians on claims to Kentucky Medicaid in order to receive higher reimbursements. According to the settlement agreement, day treatment services provided by lower-level healthcare workers at Aspire Day Program were billed as if they had higher-level licenses. Moreover, some employees did not have the qualifications to provide day treatment services at Aspire Day Program at all, but Recovery Center of Kentucky nonetheless billed Medicaid as if the services were provided by a licensed professional.

The Government alleged that the parent company, Recovery Center of USA, and CEO, Dr. Warrick Stewart, are liable for these false claims because they directed Recovery Center of Kentucky’s, Recovery Center of Maryland’s, and Recovery Center of Ohio’s compliance with federal healthcare programs, staffing decisions, and submission of claims to Kentucky and Ohio Medicaid.

“Vulnerable populations, like children who need behavioral health services, deserve to be treated by qualified clinicians,” said Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “Our office is committed to investigating behavioral healthcare fraud to ensure that Kentuckians receive necessary medical care and that Medicaid programs only pay for covered services.”

“HHS OIG remains committed to combatting Medicaid fraud and enforcing compliance with billing requirements,” said Susan Edwards, Chief Counsel to the Inspector General at the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS OIG). “In connection with today’s settlement, Recovery Center has entered into a five-year Corporate Integrity Agreement with HHS OIG. This agreement imposes strengthened compliance obligations to ensure Recovery Center establishes and maintains robust systems that protect Medicaid funds and uphold the delivery of appropriate, compliant services to beneficiaries.”

The civil judgment will be satisfied by the terms agreed to in the civil settlement agreement based on Defendants’ limited ability to pay, including remitting payments from Defendants’ future distributions and terminating ownership rights to some of Dr. Stewart’s property.

The civil judgment and settlement agreement resolve a lawsuit brought by private citizens under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act. Under those provisions, a private party can file a civil action on behalf of the United States, thereby bringing allegations of fraud to the Government’s attention, and share in any financial recovery. As part of this resolution, the individuals who filed the qui tam complaint are eligible to receive a portion of the settlement proceeds. The civil case is captioned United States ex rel. Harned, et al. v. Aspire Day School, LLC, et al., Case No. 3:23-cv-41-GFVT.

The investigation was conducted by investigators from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky. This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan Stubblebine, with assistance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General, the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office, and the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability.

– END –

ASHLAND, Ky. – A Gallipolis, Ohio, man, Henry Ritscher, 44, was sentenced on Friday to 25 years by Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning for the production of child pornography.  

According to his plea agreement, on September 6, 2025, Ritscher produced child pornography of a minor child in Johnson County. Specifically, the victim discovered a video depicting her showering and changing clothes, which appeared to be taken from a covert position in Ritscher’s bathroom. Law enforcement executed a search warrant on the same day and uncovered multiple electronic devices, including a covert camera hidden in a cell phone charging block that was used to produce the bathroom video. Ritscher provided a statement to law enforcement in which he admitted to covertly recording the victim and using the videos to satisfy his sexual fantasies. 

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; and Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Blankenship is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

– END –

LEXINGTON, Ky. –A Chinese national lawfully residing in the United States, Hao Qiu, 39, was sentenced on Friday to 30 months by U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell for international parental kidnapping.  

Qiu, a citizen of China, has three children with a United States citizen who resided in Fayette County. Qiu and the children’s mother negotiated an agreement, through their attorneys in a custody case, for Qiu to drive the children on a vacation to Florida. Unknown to their mother, Qiu obtained duplicate Chinese passports for each of the three children and made reservations to fly all of them to Beijing, China, through multiple countries. Qui drove the children to California and then removed the children from the U.S., by crossing the border to Mexico. They then flew from Mexico to Cuba to Panama, where the Panamanian authorities detained Qiu as he and the children were boarding a flight to Turkey.  Following a rapid response by the FBI, the Department of State, and the Department of Justice, the Panamanian authorities ultimately returned the children to their mother’s custody. 

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; and Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Filed Office jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andy Boone is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

– END –

LONDON, Ky. – A Nigerian man, legally residing in Newark, New Jersey, Charles Nnamdi Emesim, 53, was sentenced on Wednesday to 115 months by U.S. District Judge Robert Wier for conspiracy to commit money laundering. 

The Defendant engaged in a decade-long scheme to receive and launder the proceeds of different internet- and telephone-enabled scams, including romance scams, government imposter scams, lottery scams, investment scams, inheritance scams, and medical expense scams. Between December 9, 2013, through at least June 28, 2024, Emesim opened and operated at least 17 bank accounts in his name, or in names of his companies, Chadon Export or Chadon Trucking. Throughout this time, at least 23 individuals located around the United States were defrauded into sending a total of more than $700,000 to Emesim by mailing cash or cashier’s checks to his addresses, sending money transfers, or otherwise wiring funds into his bank accounts.

One victim, a senior citizen and widow living in the Eastern District of Kentucky, fell victim to a romance scam, believing she was in a romantic relationship with an individual named “Michael Oliver,” who wanted to transfer his wealth to the victim. To accomplish this goal, “Oliver” connected the victim with a “customs agent” to facilitate the receipt of money. The victim most frequently communicated with “Customs Agent Samuel Rock,” via WhatsApp. The victim traveled to the Lexington, Kentucky airport to meet with “Customs Agent Rock” in person, and during the meeting, gave him additional money, drove him to a local store, and bought him a computer tablet. The Court found that Emesim was the individual who impersonated “Customs Agent Rock” when meeting with this victim in person. This victim lost tens of thousands of dollars to this scam, by sending Emesim and his co-conspirators cash, cashier’s checks, and prepaid debit or gift cards.

  Emesim often withdrew the victims’ funds in cash, transferred the money to accounts in the name of relatives or businesses, or transferred the funds to his own bank accounts or bank accounts belonging to family members located in Nigeria.

“Romance scams and financial fraud schemes are predatory crimes because they target victims through deception, emotional manipulation, and calculated exploitation,” said Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “This defendant spent years helping funnel stolen money from hardworking Americans, including an elderly victim in Eastern Kentucky who was manipulated into believing she was building a genuine relationship. These criminals do not see victims as people—they see them as targets. The Eastern District of Kentucky, alongside the FBI, will continue to aggressively pursue and prosecute those who exploit trust, devastate families, and profit from fraud.”

“For more than a decade, Mr. Emesim preyed upon trusting men and women, stealing their hard-earned money to line his own pockets,” said Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office. “Today’s sentencing is a powerful reminder that the FBI and our law enforcement partners are steadfast in our pursuit of criminals who operate financial scams at the expense of innocent Americans, and that we will devote every available resource to seeking justice on behalf of victims and their families.”

During the sentencing hearing, the Court characterized Emesim’s conduct as heartless and unquestionably reprehensible, explaining that it caused terrible financial damage and incredible emotional and psychological tolls on the victims. The Court urged all people in this country with ears to hear that there will be accountability, and those convicted of these international, internet-enabled schemes will be met with a sentence that is far worse than the potential for profit.

Under federal law, Emesim 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 3 years. 

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; and Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Dieruf is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

– END –

COVINGTON, Ky. – A Wellington, Ky., man, Jarod Nicely, 39, was sentenced on Thursday to 276 months by Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. 

On February 24, 2025, law enforcement stopped a vehicle driven by Nicely for suspected traffic violations on I-75. Nicely was questioned about his travels and he said he was driving to see friends in Cincinnati but initially claimed not to know where they lived of their last names. Law enforcement conducted a search of Nicely and found $12,246 in cash bound by rubber bands in his wallet. A search of Nicely’s vehicle found approximately 94 grams of methamphetamine hidden in the center console, along with a stolen firearm. Nicely admitted to possessing the methamphetamine with intent to distribute it and that he possessed the firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking. 

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Jim Scott, Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville Field Division; and Sheriff Les Hill, Boone County Sheriff’s Office, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the DEA and Boone County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel King is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States. 

– END –

FRANKFORT, Ky. – A Lexington, Ky., man, Kevin Ryan Straw, 40, was charged by information and pleaded guilty to wire fraud on Thursday before U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove. 

According to the information and his plea agreement, between 2021 and 2024, Straw served as President of Metropolitan Lodge 32, Fraternal Order of Police, based in Louisville, Ky., and, at various times, served as the Vice President and Government Affairs Chair of the Kentucky State Fraternal Order of Police, based in Frankfort, Ky. Straw devised a scheme to defraud both FOP Lodges and numerous individual victims of money through materially false pretenses, representations, and promises.  Straw defrauded individuals through an investment fraud scheme, defrauding at least ten individuals out of a total of $80,200.  In addition, Straw misappropriated $49,760 from Metro Lodge 32 through cash withdrawals he falsely claimed were made to transfer the funds to a different Metro Lodge 32 account.  Finally, Straw charged $15,501.48 in personal expenses to the State FOP credit card and requested reimbursement from the State FOP for $41,562.97 in travel expenses not incurred.  In total, Straw defrauded $187,024.45 from Metro Lodge 32, the State FOP, and the investment fraud victims.  According to his plea agreement, Straw agreed to pay $187,024.45 in restitution.

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; Russell Coleman, Kentucky Attorney General; and Paul Humphrey, Chief, Louisville Metro Police Department, jointly announced the guilty plea.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI, the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office, and the Louisville Metro Police Department.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate K. Smith. 

Straw is scheduled to be sentenced on August 11, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.

— END — 

LEXINGTON, Ky.- A Lexington man, Kevin Sanders, 48, was convicted on Friday by a federal jury in Lexington for four counts of distributing fentanyl, three counts of distributing methamphetamine, three counts of possessing with intent to distribute 600 grams or more of fentanyl, 500 grams or more of cocaine, and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual). He was also convicted of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  Sanders was convicted following a 3-day trial. 

According to testimony at trial, beginning in February 2025, law enforcement officers with the HIDTA Task Force, began an investigation into the drug trafficking activities of Kevin D. Sanders. During the investigation, law enforcement officers purchased 49 grams of fentanyl and 83 grams of methamphetamine from Sanders. In April 2025, a search warrant was obtained for his residence and law enforcement seized 3,705 grams of pure methamphetamine, 608 grams of fentanyl, and 500 grams of cocaine. Additionally, officers located and seized five firearms. Sanders has a prior conviction for Attempt First Degree Murder from Cook County, Illinois.

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; John Nokes, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division; Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police; and Chief Rodney Richardson, Richmond Police Department, jointly announced the conviction.

The investigation was conducted by the ATF, KSP, and Richmond Police Department. The U.S. Attorney’s Office was represented in the case by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Rieker. 

Sanders will appear for sentencing on September 10.

— END — 

FRANKFORT, Ky. – A Detroit, Michigan, man, Anderson L. George, Jr., 33, was sentenced on Monday to 180 months by U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove for possession with intent to distribute 10 grams or more of fluorofentanyl. 

According to his plea agreement, on November 8, 2023, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of George’s vehicle. During the stop, George’s vehicle was searched and law enforcement officers found a vacuum sealed bag containing a mixture of 99.8 grams of a flurofentanyl, a fentanyl analogue and fentanyl. George admitted to possessing the drugs and he intended to distribute them to others. George has a prior conviction for trafficking in a controlled substance from Rowan County, Ky., in 2018.

Under federal law, George 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 8 years. 

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Jim Scott, Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville Field Division; and Chief Lawrence Weathers, Lexington Police Department, announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by DEA and Lexington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Rieker is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

– END –

COVINGTON, Ky. – A Cincinnati man, Chester Lee Holloway 35, was sentenced on Friday to 127 months by Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning for felon in possession of a firearm. 

According to his plea agreement, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle being driven by Holloway in Covington. Law enforcement detected the odor of marijuana and Holloway admitted that the vehicle contained marijuana and that it may also contain a firearm in the trunk of a car. Law enforcement searched the vehicle and found 119.1 grams of marijuana, a loaded firearm and an extended magazine. Holloway admitted that he knew he was a felon and was prohibited from possessing a firearm. At sentencing, Judge Bunning found that Holloway possessed the firearm in connection with another felony offense, namely, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute it.

Holloway was previously convicted of aggravated trafficking in drugs, among other crimes.

Under federal law, Holloway 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 3 years. 

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; John Nokes, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division; and Chief Justin Wietholter, Covington Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the ATF and Covington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Winslow prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

– END –

LONDON, Ky. – A Nicholasville, Ky., man, Brandon Graves, 33, was sentenced to 66 months imprisonment on Friday by U.S. District Judge Claria Horn Boom for possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine. 

According to his plea agreement, on May 14, 2025, law enforcement executed a search warrant on Graves’ residence. During the search, officers located 81.563 grams of fentanyl, 287.98 grams of cocaine, 40.872 grams of crack cocaine, 1.819 grams of methamphetamine, 17.588 grams of psilocybin, and $18,833 in cash. Law enforcement also recovered a vacuum sealer, plastic bags, digital scales, pistol magazines, and rounds of ammunition. 

Under federal law, Graves 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 4 years. 

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Jim Scott, Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville Field Division; and Chief Michael Fleming, Nicholasville Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the DEA and Nicholasville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ron Walker is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

– END –

FRANKFORT, Ky. – A Georgetown, Ky., man, Ricky Helton, 48, was sentenced on Tuesday to 180 months by U.S. District Judge Gregory F. Van Tatenhove for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. 

           According to his plea agreement, on October 24, 2024, Helton met an individual in Lexington to purchase methamphetamine. When law enforcement approached Helton’s vehicle, they located one pound of methamphetamine. Prior to this, law enforcement conducted four controlled purchases of methamphetamine from June through August 2024. 

           Helton previously was convicted of attempted manufacturing methamphetamine in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky in 2005. 

           Under federal law, Helton 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 10 years. 

           Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Jim Scott, Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville Field Division; and Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police, announced the sentence.

           The investigation was conducted by DEA and KSP. Assistant U.S. Attorney James T. Chapman is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

– END –

COVINGTON, Ky. – A Crittenden, Ky., man, Robert Luke Divine, 30, was sentenced on Friday to 235 months by Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning for attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity and distribution of child pornography. 

           According to his plea agreement, on January 15, 2025, the Boone County Sheriff’s Department conducted a sting operation and Divine showed up to a hotel for the purpose of having sex with a woman and her 14-year-old daughter. When deputies arrested him, Divine admitted why he was there and that he had child pornography on his cell phone. Law enforcement searched his electronic devices (including an Apple iPad) and found a trove of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), including evidence that Divine traded CSAM with another person via Telegram in December 2024. Divine’s iPad contained 335 videos and thousands of images of child sexual abuse material, including files that depicted bestiality and minors under the age of 12. 

           Under federal law, Divine 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 20 years. 

           Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Colin Jackson, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); and Les K. Hill, Boone County Sheriff, announced the sentence.

           The investigation was conducted by the HSI and Boone County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elaine Leonhard is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

– END –

LEXINGTON, KY.— A federal criminal complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court in Lexington on Friday charging Brailen Weaver with armed bank robbery, use of a firearm in a crime of violence, and causing death with a firearm in the course of the crime of violence. 

According to the criminal complaint, Weaver entered a US Bank in Berea, Ky, on April 30, 2026, at approximately 1:57 p.m. Upon entering the bank, Weaver immediately shot and killed a bank employee and then killed a bank teller. Weaver checked multiple drawers in the bank and immediately left. Investigators worked throughout the day to identify a suspect, as the perpetrator was hooded with a black mask. Weaver was ultimately identified as a suspect and his vehicle was located later in the evening. Law enforcement attempted to stop Weaver’s vehicle, leading to a pursuit that exceeded 100 miles per hour. Weaver ultimately crashed his car and then fled on foot.  Around 3 a.m. this morning Weaver was captured.

“As alleged, this deplorable act of violence in broad daylight has left two families in Kentucky with unthinkable loss. Our hearts go out to them,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “On day one, President Trump and this Department of Justice reprioritized tackling violent crime. Thanks to the relentless pursuit of law enforcement, Brailen Weaver is off the street and behind bars, and he will now face justice for his alleged heinous actions.”

“The FBI sends our condolences to two families who lost their loved ones in this horrific act of violence,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “In the days ahead, we will work 24/7 with our partners to conduct a full investigation and see to it that the individual responsible is held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

“Senseless violence has no place in our community. Two innocent people lost their lives due to greed and a complete disregard for the value of life. Thankfully, through the tireless efforts of the Kentucky State Police, FBI, ATF, Lexington Police Department, and many other law enforcement partners, a suspect is in custody and no longer able to wreak havoc in the Eastern District of Kentucky. We will do everything within our power to vindicate this terrible loss,” said Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky.

“A senseless tragedy unfolded in Berea, KY yesterday after a coward with zero regard for human life allegedly murdered two bank employees and then led law enforcement on a dangerous pursuit throughout the eastern Kentucky region. Fulfilling a pillar of the FBI's mission to protect the American people, FBI Louisville along with numerous law enforcement partners was able to safely apprehend the subject and restore safety to the citizens of Berea and the surrounding areas,” said Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office. “We offer our condolences to all who were so tragically affected by yesterday's indefensible acts, and we will stop at nothing to ensure this alleged murderer is held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

“While I recognize that we’ve tragically lost two fellow Kentuckians and send our most heartfelt condolences to their families, I’m grateful this incident was brought to this conclusion – apprehension of the suspect with no further harm to our communities and law enforcement." Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police “There is inherent danger in this profession, but the professionalism and cooperation among multiple local, state, and federal partners enabled this successful outcome. Our personnel will continue to support this investigation and work to ensure successful prosecution, bringing justice to the victims' families.”

The case is being investigated by the FBI, ATF, Kentucky State Police, and Lexington Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Mary Melton is representing the United States in this case.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations.  The Defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Weaver is scheduled to appear in court for his initial appearance on Monday at 2 p.m., in Lexington.

— END — 

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky will be holding a press conference to provide an update and information regarding the arrest and federal charges of the suspect in the deadly Berea bank robbery.

WHERE: U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Kentucky, 260 W. Vine Street, Suite 300—Lexington, Ky. 40507

WHEN: FRIDAY, May 1, 2026 at 2 p.m.

CONTACT: Gabrielle Dudgeon, Public Affairs Specialist

                 (859) 229-7996

                 Gabrielle.dudgeon@usdoj.gov

COVINGTON, Ky. – A Covington man, Trintin Peeno, 31, was sentenced on Thursday to 150 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning for possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.  

According to his plea agreement, law enforcement executed a search warrant on Peeno’s residence on July 10, 2025, after receiving information about drug trafficking at the residence. During the search, officers recovered 28.9 grams of methamphetamine, 1.373 grams of fentanyl, 1.125 grams of cocaine, and a loaded handgun near the drugs. Peeno claimed ownership of the gun and the drugs and admitted to distributing controlled substances. Peeno also admitted that he possessed the firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking activity. At sentencing, Peeno admitted that he had threatened to murder a neighbor who approached police about this activity. 

Under federal law, Peeno 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 4 years. 

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; John Nokes, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division; and Chief Justin Wietholter, Covington Police Department, announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the ATF and Covington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Bracke is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

– END –

COVINGTON, Ky. – A Walton, Ky., man, Kameron Thomas, 35, was sentenced on Friday to 37 months by Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning, for accessing child pornography with the intent to view it. 

According to court documents, in January 2025, Thomas’s roommate, Ronald Knox, distributed a depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct to an undercover law enforcement officer by means of a BitTorrent peer-to-peer network. In May 2025, law enforcement searched their residence, during which Thomas admitted that he accessed child pornography through a Tor browser on his smartphone and that he had been doing so regularly for years. Law enforcement seized Thomas’s device, which revealed evidence corroborating his admissions.  

Knox was previously sentenced to 168 months for the distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography. 

Under federal law, Thomas 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 15 years.  

Jason D. Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; and Chief Craig Patrick Sorrell, Campbell County Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI and Campbell County Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew Spievack is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

– END –

LONDON, Ky.- Mufid Elfgeeh, 42, was convicted by a federal jury in London for attempted murder. Elfgeeh was convicted following a two-day trial.

While serving a 270-month sentence for attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, United States Penitentiary McCreary staff observed Elfgeeh attacking his cellmate. Elfgeeh had requested a private cell and was upset that BOP had not complied with his request. Elfgeeh used an improvised weapon to stab his cellmate at least 30 times as he ignored numerous verbal commands to stop the attack, continuing the stabbing through three sprays of OC spray, OC vapor grenades, being struck by a foam baton, pepper balls, and hornet nest munitions. Elfgeeh’s assault continued until staff outfitted with protective gear breached the cell, restrained him, and removed the weapon. 

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office, jointly announced the conviction.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI. The U.S. Attorney’s Office was represented in the case by Assistant U.S. Attorney Pearce Nesbitt. 

Elfgeeh will appear for sentencing on September 1, 2026. He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.

— END — 

COVINGTON, Ky.- A Carson, California, man, Genghis Stevenson, 48, was convicted on Wednesday by a federal jury in Covington of possession with intent to distribute an aggravated quantity of fentanyl. Stevenson was convicted following a 2-day trial. 

Law enforcement learned that Stevenson was a passenger on a flight from the Greater Cincinnati Airport to Los Angeles on March 28, 2024, and encountered Stevenson as he was about to board the plane. Over $15,000 in cash was seized from his carry-on bag along with 251 grams of fentanyl from his checked bag.

Stevenson has a violent history, including felony convictions for second degree robbery and taking of a motor vehicle from possession of another by a means of force and fear (carjacking).

“On National Fentanyl Awareness Day, we acknowledge the widespread presence of fentanyl infiltrating our communities, but this conviction makes it clear that those responsible for trafficking it will be held accountable. Trafficking this poison is not a victimless crime—it fuels addiction, devastates families, and puts lives at risk every single day,” said Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “Our Office, alongside our law enforcement partners, remains steadfast in identifying, disrupting, and prosecuting those who choose to profit from this crisis. We will continue to hold offenders accountable and protect the public from the dangers of fentanyl.”

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Jim Scott, Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville Field Division; and Chief Scott Schwartz, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, jointly announced the conviction.

The investigation was conducted by the DEA and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. The U.S. Attorney’s Office was represented in the case by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Bracke.

Stevenson will appear for sentencing on August 21, 2026. He faces a mandatory minimum 10-year term of imprisonment and could face up to life in prison.

— END — 

LONDON, Ky. – Clinton Everett Hahn, 52, was sentenced on Monday to 45 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Robert E. Wier for being a felon in possession of firearms. 

Hahn, a resident of Missouri, was required to register as a sex offender based on a Statutory Rape, Second Degree, conviction.  He absconded from Missouri and was ultimately located by the Central Kentucky Fugitive Task Force living in a makeshift encampment in Clay County, Kentucky.  Hahn was located with two firearms, and he admitted to firing both weapons within the week before his arrest. In addition to the rape conviction, Hahn also has felony convictions for Distributing a Controlled Substance to a Minor and Assault 2nd Degree.   

“The Central Kentucky Fugitive Task Force is one of many examples of collaborative efforts between federal, state, and local law enforcement that serve to make our community safe,” said Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky.   “Tracking down and bringing to justice an armed, fugitive, sex offender is exactly the type of work that makes our District a safer place to live.”

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Jeremy Honaker, Acting United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Kentucky announced the sentence.

The criminal investigation was conducted by the U.S. Marshal’s Service.

– END –

The Justice Department announced today that Joseph E. Johnson, the owner and manager of residential rental properties in Lexington, Kentucky, agreed to pay $510,000 to resolve a lawsuit alleging that he sexually harassed female tenants in violation of the Fair Housing Act.

“The Justice Department will not tolerate violations of our federal fair housing laws, including landlords’ unwelcome sexual advances and requests for sexual favors,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This settlement demonstrates our commitment to continuing to enforce these laws so tenants remain safe and secure in their homes.”

“No one should have to choose between homelessness and sexual harassment in the place where they should feel safest,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Parman for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “Our office is committed to holding accountable anyone who preys on and harasses vulnerable tenants in Eastern Kentucky, and this settlement sends a clear message that sex discrimination in housing will not be tolerated.”

The Justice Department’s lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky in December 2024, alleges that Johnson sexually harassed female tenants for decades, including in their homes and at the rental office. The suit alleges that Johnson offered to forgive rent in exchange for sexual contact, demanded sexual contact from his tenants, subjected tenants to unwelcome sexual touching, made unwelcome sexual comments and sexual advances, let himself into female tenants’ homes without notice or permission, and threatened to evict tenants who refused his demands. The complaint also alleges Johnson failed to stop his employees when they engaged in similar conduct.

Pursuant to the consent order, which was approved today by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, the defendant must pay $500,000 to tenants who were harmed by his harassment and a $10,000 civil penalty to the United States. The consent order permanently bars Johnson from managing residential rental properties and from contacting tenants harmed by his harassment. It also mandates training and the adoption of policies and procedures to prevent future discrimination in his rental properties.

If you are a victim of sexual harassment by another landlord or property manager or have suffered other forms of housing discrimination, call the Justice Department’s Housing Discrimination Tip Line at 1-800-896-7743 or submit a report online. More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt. This settlement is part of the Justice Department’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative. The initiative, which the Department launched in October 2017, seeks to address and raise awareness about sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers and other people who have control over housing. Since launching the initiative, the department has filed 52 lawsuits alleging sexual harassment in housing and recovered over $19 million for victims of such harassment.

The Justice Department announced today that Joseph E. Johnson, the owner and manager of residential rental properties in Lexington, Kentucky, agreed to pay $510,000 to resolve a lawsuit alleging that he sexually harassed female tenants in violation of the Fair Housing Act.

“The Justice Department will not tolerate violations of our federal fair housing laws, including landlords’ unwelcome sexual advances and requests for sexual favors,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This settlement demonstrates our commitment to continuing to enforce these laws so tenants remain safe and secure in their homes.”

“No one should have to choose between homelessness and sexual harassment in the place where they should feel safest,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Parman for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “Our office is committed to holding accountable anyone who preys on and harasses vulnerable tenants in Eastern Kentucky, and this settlement sends a clear message that sex discrimination in housing will not be tolerated.”

The Justice Department’s lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky in December 2024, alleges that Johnson sexually harassed female tenants for decades, including in their homes and at the rental office. The suit alleges that Johnson offered to forgive rent in exchange for sexual contact, demanded sexual contact from his tenants, subjected tenants to unwelcome sexual touching, made unwelcome sexual comments and sexual advances, let himself into female tenants’ homes without notice or permission, and threatened to evict tenants who refused his demands. The complaint also alleges Johnson failed to stop his employees when they engaged in similar conduct.

Pursuant to the consent order, which was approved today by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, the defendant must pay $500,000 to tenants who were harmed by his harassment and a $10,000 civil penalty to the United States. The consent order permanently bars Johnson from managing residential rental properties and from contacting tenants harmed by his harassment. It also mandates training and the adoption of policies and procedures to prevent future discrimination in his rental properties.

If you are a victim of sexual harassment by another landlord or property manager or have suffered other forms of housing discrimination, call the Justice Department’s Housing Discrimination Tip Line at 1-800-896-7743 or submit a report online. More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt. This settlement is part of the Justice Department’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative. The initiative, which the Department launched in October 2017, seeks to address and raise awareness about sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers and other people who have control over housing. Since launching the initiative, the department has filed 52 lawsuits alleging sexual harassment in housing and recovered over $19 million for victims of such harassment.

FRANKFORT, Ky.- A Frankfort man, Donald Demil Clay, 50, was convicted on Wednesday by a federal jury in Frankfort for possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Clay was convicted of the charges following a two-day trial.  

According to testimony at trial, the investigation as to Clay began with numerous tips to law enforcement that Clay was renting a commercial property in Frankfort that he used to store and to distribute cocaine. After several months of surveillance, law enforcement obtained and executed a search warrant at the property used and maintained by Clay. Police seized approximately 4 ounces of cocaine that was concealed in a box affixed to a custom poker table.  

Clay was previously convicted of possession with intent to distribute cocaine in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky in July 2014.  

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Colin Jackson, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Jim Scott, Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville Field Division; and Chief Derrick Napier, Frankfort Police Department, jointly announced the conviction.

The investigation was conducted by HSI, DEA, and the Frankfort Police Department. The U.S. Attorney’s Office was represented in the case by Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Bradbury.

Clay will appear for sentencing on July 9.  He faces a maximum of 30 years in prison.  However, the Court must consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the applicable federal sentencing statutes before imposing a sentence.

— END — 

LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Charlotte, North Carolina, woman, Delores Jordan, 57, and Ernest Williams, 52, of Lexington, Ky., were sentenced this week to 60 months and five years of probation respectively, by U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell for their roles in a kickback conspiracy and health care fraud.

Serenity Keeper’s, LLC (“Serenity Keepers”), owned by Jordan, was a sober home company based in Fayette County, Ky., that purported to provide mental health and substance abuse treatment services and housing for individuals enrolled in its program.  Serenity Keepers allegedly used urine drug tests for their clients for non-medical reasons, such as ensuring sobriety. Beginning in 2019 through February 2022, Williams ran several sober homes operating as Serenity Keepers.

According to her plea agreement, in the fall of 2019, Jordan solicited kickbacks from an individual in exchange for the referral of urine drug testing from Serenity Keepers to various urine drug testing labs. Jordan received these kickbacks in the form of check, cash, and electronic payments for the referral of urine drug testing from Serenity Keepers to three different urine drug testing labs. In October 2021, the kickbacks increased to $5,000 and were paid to Jerome Davis, one of Jordan’s co-defendants, in the form of consulting payments, paid as checks, or ACH payments to Davis’s company X-Tremly for Christ, LLC.

Through the scheme, Jordan and Serenity Keepers caused Medicaid and Medicare to pay three different urine drug testing labs approximately $2,569,946 for urine drug testing referred to them, in exchange for unlawful kickbacks paid to Jordan. Willams performed urine drug testing on the residents of the homes he operated knowing the tests were not ordered by a medical provider and would not be reviewed by a medical provider.

As further part of the scheme, between August 2019 and March 2022, Serenity Keepers billed Medicaid for peer support services that were not provided by licensed peer support specialists. At Jordan’s direction, Williams stated that individuals living in his sober homes received six hours of peer support services per day, knowing that was not true. Over that time frame, Williams received $365,374.72, a percentage of the amount billed to Medicaid for the homes he managed.

Dashawn Dawkins was convicted earlier in April 2026 for his role in the kickback conspiracy and health care fraud conspiracy. Lily Bell, who paid the kickbacks to Dawkins, Jordan, and Davis, and who facilitated the abuse of the Nurse Practitioner’s stolen identifiers, pled guilty to aggravated identity theft. Jerome Davis pled guilty to his role in the kickback conspiracy and was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day of incarceration.

Under federal law, Jordan and Williams must serve 85 percent of their prison sentences. Upon their release from prison, they will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 3 years. 

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; and Russell Coleman, Kentucky Attorney General, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Kentucky Attorney General, Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse. The U.S. Attorney’s Office was represented in the case by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate K. Smith.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division ('Fraud Division'). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs

– END –

LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Lexington man, Terence Lorenzo Clemons, 52, was sentenced on Tuesday to 25 years by U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell for the production of child pornography.  

According to his plea agreement, Clemons was a County Extension Agent that operated 4-H programs in the Bath County School System. In April 2024, Clemons began a romantic “relationship” with a minor victim in the school system. Through extensive conversations via text messaging and various social media platforms, Clemons professed his “love” and asked the victim to engage in sexually explicit conduct via livestreaming and by sending him videos/photos. Clemons used his position as a leader of 4-H programs to gain access to the victim, which included at least one instance of physical touching, during events Clemons attended through the 4-H program. 

During the sentencing hearing, the Court noted the seriousness of this type of offense cannot be overstated. The Court also remarked that those with positions of trust need to understand this conduct will not be tolerated.

“This defendant held a position of trust and exploited that position in order to prey on the vulnerability of a child,” said Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “That betrayal strikes at the very core of our communities, where parents and families should be able to trust those entrusted with mentoring and guiding young people. We remain committed to holding accountable anyone who abuses that trust and to working alongside our law enforcement partners to protect children from exploitation and harm.”

Under federal law, Clemons 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 20 years. 

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Colin Jackson, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police; and Sheriff Mike Coyle, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by HSI, KSP, and Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Roth is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

– END –

LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Lexington man, Osama Omar Qasem, 29, was sentenced on Thursday to 120 months by U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell for two counts of distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and one count of trafficking in firearms. 

According to his plea agreement, from January to March 2025, law enforcement utilized a confidential informant to conduct four controlled drug and firearm transactions from Qasem. Through the four transactions, Qasem sold the informant over 700 grams of methamphetamine and three firearms. After the fourth transaction, the informant contacted Qasem to set up a fifth controlled buy. When Qasem showed up for the transaction, law enforcement were waiting. Qasem was found with a loaded firearm in his car, equipped with a large capacity magazine. Law enforcement also located approximately 136. grams of cocaine and 237 grams of methamphetamine that Qasem admitted he was planning on distributing to others.  

Under federal law, Qasem 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. 

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; John Nokes, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division; and Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police; announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by ATF and KSP. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paco Villalobos is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

– END –

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky has partnered with Judi’s Place for Kids, a children’s advocacy center, headquartered in Pikeville, Ky., for use of their certified facility dog throughout the district.

A highly trained facility dog used in proper circumstances can reduce the stress experienced by victims and witnesses, foster connections with the prosecution team, encourage communication, and inspire a sense of trust.

Leslee is the Facility Dog for Judi's Place. Leslee or "Les" has been serving with Judi’s Place for the past seven years. Les's role is to support the children at their office and in judicial proceedings. This involves cuddling with children before and after therapy sessions, walking them to their sessions, and accompanying children as they testify in court. Les also attends many education and community events for Judi's Place. Les knows over 50 commands. Before coming to Judi's Place, Leslee trained for two years to become certified through Canine Companions.

“Protecting children and pursuing those who exploit them remains a top priority for our Office,” said Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “This partnership with Judi’s Place for Kids enhances our ability to support victims in a trauma-informed way, strengthening our cases and our commitment to justice. During National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, we are proud to take this step forward in better serving our communities.”

“Leslee and Judi’s Place for Kids are honored for a chance to serve even more children and victims throughout the Commonwealth,” said Judi’s Place for Kids. “We cannot wait to show the difference a canine can make in the life of child victim.”

Judi’s Place for Kids – a bright solution for abused children – is a community working together promoting safety and justice, offering hope and healing so that all may thrive and reach their full potential. Judi’s Place is a non-profit established in 1999 with locations in Pikeville and Prestonsburg, serving Pike, Floyd, Johnson, Martin, and Magoffin Counties in eastern Kentucky. Judi's Place for Kids provides two programs: accredited children's advocacy center services and CASA (court-appointed special advocates) of Eastern Kentucky.

– END –

COVINGTON, Ky. – A Crestview Hills, Ky., man, William Clark, 70, was sentenced on Thursday to 63 months by Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning for receiving child pornography.  

According to his plea agreement, on July 13, 2024, law enforcement responded to a report that a man was taking photos of children in their swimsuits at a recreation center in Kenton County. Officers spoke to Clark who admitted that he possessed computer-generated depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct and that he had downloaded the material from two websites. Clark consented to the search of his electronic devices and law enforcement found approximately 885 digital images and three digital videos depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Law enforcement further found that hundreds of those files had been downloaded from websites including those the Defendant admitted visiting.

Under federal law, Clark 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 5 years. 

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Colin Jackson, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); and Chief Mike Leming, Erlanger Police Department, announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the HSI and Erlanger Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew Spievack is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

– END –

FRANKFORT, Ky.- A Frankfort man, Donald Demil Clay, 50, was convicted on Wednesday by a federal jury in Frankfort for possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Clay was convicted of the charges following a two-day trial. 

According to testimony at trial, the investigation as to Clay began with numerous tips to law enforcement that Clay was renting a commercial property in Frankfort that he used to store and to distribute cocaine. After several months of surveillance, law enforcement obtained and executed a search warrant at the property used and maintained by Clay. Law enforcement seized approximately 4 ounces of cocaine that was concealed in a box affixed to a custom poker table.  

Clay was previously convicted of possession with intent to distribute cocaine in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky in July 2014.  

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Colin Jackson, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Jim Scott, Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville Field Division; and Chief Derrick Napier, Frankfort Police Department, jointly announced the conviction.

The investigation was conducted by HSI, DEA, and the Frankfort Police Department. The U.S. Attorney’s Office was represented in the case by Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Bradbury.

Clay will appear for sentencing on July 9. He faces a maximum of 30 years in prison.  However, the Court must consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the applicable federal sentencing statutes before imposing a sentence.

— END — 

COVINGTON, Ky. – A Batavia, Ohio, woman, Stephanie Marie Terrell, 39, was sentenced on Thursday to 78 months by Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning for aiding and abetting the attempted possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.  

           According to her plea agreement, on May 23, 2025, the United States Postal Inspection Service intercepted a package containing over 220 grams of methamphetamine that was addressed to a residence in Covington and mailed from Houston, Texas. On May 27, 2025, law enforcement conducted a controlled delivery of the package to the Covington residence, and Scott Baxter, Terrell’s co-defendant, retrieved the package from the porch and brought it to a nearby vehicle driven by Terrell. Terrell began driving away from the residence, but law enforcement initiated a traffic stop. Dereco Lamont Evans, the front seat passenger and another co-defendant, opened the passenger door and threw the package out. Evans and Terrell were detained. 

           Terrell admitted that she was retrieving the package, that the intended recipient was Timothy McCay, another co-defendant, that she knew the package contained drugs, and that she had facilitated McCay receiving the drugs from Joseph Felix Garza of Houston, another co-defendant. 

           Terrell’s co-defendants were previously sentenced to the following:

• Joseph Felix Garza was sentenced to 132 months imprisonment and 5 years supervised release
• Timothy J. McCay was sentenced to 123 months imprisonment and 5 years supervised release
• Harry Smith was sentenced to 41 months imprisonment and 3 years supervised release
• Scott Baxter was sentenced to 36 months imprisonment and 3 years supervised release
• Dereco Lamont Evans was sentenced to 40 months imprisonment and 3 years supervised release
• Stephanie Marie Garcia was sentenced to time served (4 days) and 3 years supervised release

           Under federal law, Terrell and her co-defendants must serve 85 percent of their prison sentence. Upon her release from prison, Terrell will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 5 years. 

           Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Lesley Allison, Special Agent in Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service, Pittsburgh Field Division; and Scott Hardcorn, Director of the Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force, announced the sentence.

           The investigation was conducted by USPIS and the Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Spievack is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

– END –

LEXINGTON, Ky. After a three-day trial, a Lexington man, Victorian Valdimar Hardaway, 36, was convicted on Thursday by a federal jury in Lexington for conspiring to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and a detectable amount of oxycodone; distributing fentanyl;  possessing with the intent to distribute fentanyl, oxycodone, and methamphetamine; possessing a firearm as a convicted felon; and possessing a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking crimes. 

According to testimony at trial and items seized during a search warrant, Hardaway had large amounts of fentanyl and methamphetamine throughout the apartment where he was staying. Law enforcement recovered numerous items of drug paraphernalia, including a hydraulic press, baggies, cutting agents, a blender, more than $5,000 in bundled cash, and digital scales. Evidence revealed that Hardaway was a large-scale drug trafficker in the Lexington community selling substantial amounts of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and oxycodone. Hardway also possessed firearms during drug transactions and another one in the bedroom where many drugs and paraphernalia was recovered. Further, Hardaway’s criminal history shows he is a convicted domestic violence aggressor. 

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Jim Scott, Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville Field Division; Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police; and Chief Lawrence Weathers, Lexington Police Department, jointly announced the conviction.

The investigation was conducted by the DEA, KSP, and Lexington Police Department. The U.S. Attorney’s Office was represented in the case by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ron Walker and Aubrey McGuire Girouard. 

Hardaway will appear for sentencing in August 2026. He faces a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison. However, the Court must consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the applicable federal sentencing statutes before imposing a sentence.

— END — 

LEXINGTON, Ky.- A federal criminal complaint was unsealed in the U.S. District Court in Lexington on Wednesday charging Kadrioan Serainity Santiago, 23, with interstate threatening communication.

According to the criminal complaint, on April 1, 2026, FBI received information that Santiago, under the username “kadi_skating,” had been posting a series of politically violent threats and statements on Instagram between January 2026 and late March 2026. Among other things, Santiago threatened to cut President Donald Trump’s face with a razor blade, pull his skin off and feed the skin to stray dogs; threatened to kill the next member of law enforcement who interacted with him; encouraged others to shoot at ICE agents; and threatened to kill ICE agents himself.

The criminal complaint alleges that Santiago began posting the threatening communication in January 2026, posting, “im filled with political violence.”

“Threatening violence against the President and federal law enforcement officers strike at the core of our nation’s safety and the rule of law,” said Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “These actions will not be tolerated and will be met with swift and decisive prosecution. Through the FBI’s diligence and swift action, we moved quickly to address this threat and will pursue prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.”

"To those who choose to hide behind the anonymity of a screen to unleash threats against the President of the United States, other government officials, and law enforcement, the FBI will find you,” said Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office. “It is against the law to post threatening communications online, and the FBI and our partners will use every available resource to identify, locate, and arrest those who choose to do so."

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office, jointly announced the criminal complaint.

The case is being investigated by the FBI. Assistant United States Attorney Emily Greenfield is representing the United States in this case.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations.  The Defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law.

— END — 

GOTEC Plus Sun LLC (GOTEC), a Delaware company, pleaded guilty today to illegal storage of hazardous waste. GOTEC was sentenced to pay a $275,000 fine and to serve a one-year term of probation.

On March 30, the court sentenced Natalie Fehse, the former general manager of the GOTEC facility, to five years of probation, including a special condition of 10 months of home confinement, and a $5,000 fine for her role in the illegal storage of hazardous waste.

“The illegal accumulation and storage of hundreds of containers of hazardous waste at GOTEC posed a substantial danger to plant workers, emergency responders, and the general public,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “This prosecution sends the message that hazardous waste generators must properly handle hazardous wastes or potentially face felony prosecution for their illegal conduct.

“Unpermitted storage of hazardous waste that endangers Kentuckians will not be tolerated,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Parman for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “I want to commend the collaborative efforts of the Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection and EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division on the investigation of the illegal conduct of GOTEC and its General Manager, which averted a potential disaster.”

“Companies that cut corners by accumulating hazardous wastes — such the hundreds of drums of flammable and toxic solvents hidden around the site in this case — rather than disposing of them properly endanger communities, workers, and first responders,” said EPA’s Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Jeffrey A. Hall. “Such dangerous neglect is precisely what the law forbids. This case demonstrates cooperative federalism in action. The Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection’s inspection program found persistent, intentional violations of the law while EPA’s criminal investigative and forensic expertise ensured that the company was held criminally accountable.”

GOTEC produced parts for the use of manufacturing vehicles in Williamstown, Kentucky. As part of the production process, it applied coatings and adhesives to metal parts and generated hazardous waste, including spent solvents listed under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).

RCRA establishes a comprehensive cradle-to-grave program to regulate the generation, transportation, treatment, and disposal of hazardous wastes to protect human health and the environment. It prohibits the storage of hazardous waste at industrial facilities for extended periods of time without a permit. According to court documents, on June 27, 2024, the Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection conducted an inspection at GOTEC’s plant and discovered semi-trailers, shipping containers, and an abandoned warehouse containing 249, 55-gallon drums of hazardous waste and approximately 27 cubic yards of hazardous waste stored in cardboard, wooden crates, and yellow totes.

GOTEC admitted that between January 2022 and November 2024 it did not properly dispose of all the hazardous waste it was generating, including hazardous waste that had been accumulating at the facility since 2022. GOTEC admitted that it stopped properly disposing of hazardous due to staffing issues, and decreased revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather, it improperly accumulated and stored hazardous waste at the facility without a RCRA hazardous waste storage permit.

EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Greenfield for the Eastern District of Kentucky and Senior Trial Attorney Matthew Morris of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section prosecuted the case.

COVINGTON, Ky. – GOTEC Plus Sun, LLC (GOTEC), a Delaware company, pleaded guilty on Friday before Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning to illegal storage of hazardous waste. GOTEC was sentenced to pay a $275,000 fine and to serve a one-year term of probation.

On March 30, 2026, the Court sentenced Natalie Fehse, the former General Manager of the GOTEC facility, to five years of probation, including a special condition of 10 months of home confinement, and a $5,000 fine for her role in the illegal storage of hazardous waste.

GOTEC produced parts for the use of manufacturing vehicles in Williamstown, Kentucky. As part of the production process, it applied coatings and adhesives to metal parts and generated hazardous waste, including spent solvents listed under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). 

RCRA established a comprehensive cradle-to-grave program to regulate the generation, transportation, treatment, and disposal of hazardous wastes to protect human health and the environment. It prohibits the storage of hazardous waste at industrial facilities for extended periods of time without a permit. According to court documents, on June 27, 2024, the Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection conducted an inspection at GOTEC’s plant and discovered semi-trailers, shipping containers, and an abandoned warehouse containing 249, 55-gallon drums of hazardous waste and approximately 27 cubic yards of hazardous waste stored in cardboard, wooden crates, and yellow totes. 

GOTEC admitted that between January 2022 and November 2024 it did not properly dispose of all the hazardous waste it was generating, including hazardous waste that had been accumulating at the facility since 2022. GOTEC admitted that it stopped properly disposing of hazardous due to staffing issues, and decreased revenue during the COVID shutdown. Rather, it improperly accumulated and stored hazardous waste at the facility without a RCRA hazardous waste storage permit.       

“The illegal accumulation and storage of hundreds of containers of hazardous waste at GOTEC posed a substantial danger to plant workers, emergency responders, and the general public,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “This prosecution sends the message that hazardous waste generators must properly handle hazardous wastes or potentially face felony prosecution for their illegal conduct.           

“Unpermitted storage of hazardous waste that endangers Kentuckians will not be tolerated,” said Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “I want to commend the collaborative efforts of the Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection and EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division on the investigation of the illegal conduct of GOTEC and its General Manager, which averted a potential disaster.”

“Companies that cut corners by accumulating hazardous wastes—such the hundreds of drums of flammable and toxic solvents hidden around the site in this case—rather than disposing of them properly endanger communities, workers, and first responders,” said EPA’s Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Jeffrey A. Hall. “Such dangerous neglect is precisely what the law forbids. This case demonstrates cooperative federalism in action. The Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection’s inspection program found persistent, intentional violations of the law while EPA’s criminal investigative and forensic expertise ensured that the company was held criminally accountable.”

EPA-CID-CID and Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Greenfield and Senior Trial Attorney Matthew Morris of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section prosecuted the case.

— END — 

COVINGTON, Ky. – A Crittenden, Ky., man, Randall Kipling, 63, was sentenced on Thursday to 121 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning for aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.  

According to his plea agreement, Kipling and his co-defendant, Mark Ball, were involved in distributing methamphetamine out of Kipling’s residence in Boone County. Kipling provided a vehicle and money that Ball used to engage in the drug trafficking.  On February 23, 2023, law enforcement responded to an overdose at Kipling’s residence and Kipling was present with Ball and two others, who showed significant signs of intoxication and were taken to the hospital for treatment. Law enforcement searched Kipling’s residence and seized over 250 grams of methamphetamine, other controlled substances, and numerous drug paraphernalia items. Kipling admitted possessing the methamphetamine which the group intended to distribute. 

Ball previously pleaded guilty to his role in the methamphetamine distribution and was sentenced to 126 months in March 2026. 

Under federal law, Kipling 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 5 years. 

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Jim Scott, Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville Field Division, announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the DEA and the Boone County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Bracke is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

– END –

ASHLAND, Ky. – A Martha, Ky., man, Josh Ferguson, 42, pleaded guilty on Tuesday before Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning to knowingly discharging waste product into waters of the United States. 

According to his plea agreement, in the fall of 2025, the Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection (“Kentucky DEP”) received a tip about the discharge of “brine water,” a waste product of oil production, into the Left Fork Blaine Creek in Lawrence County. On September 3, 2025, a Kentucky DEP inspector investigated the site where Ferguson owned two oil production wells. A hose connected to a metal brine tank ran through a field to the Left Fork Blaine Creek, where it was actively discharging waste product into the waterway. Downstream of the discharge, the water was orange with no signs of life, and water samples indicated extremely elevated chloride levels. When interviewed by the Kentucky DEP inspector, Ferguson admitted that he had been discharging brine water into the creek in order to save money, that he did not have a permit to do so, and that the conduct had been ongoing for two years. The Left Fork Blaine Creek is a water of the United States. 

“Dumping oil-production waste into Kentucky waterways to save money is both illegal and unacceptable,” said Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “This case reflects our commitment to protecting public health, enforcing the Clean Water Act against those who put profit over people, and safeguarding the natural resources that our communities rely on.”

“These ongoing discharges threatened the public and aquatic life downstream—putting profits over people and the environment,” said Leslie Y. Carroll, Acting Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s criminal enforcement program in Kentucky. “Clean water is one of Kentucky’s most valuable resources, and it must be protected. Today’s guilty plea demonstrates that EPA and our enforcement partners will investigate violations and hold polluters accountable to protect human health and the environment.”

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; and Anthony R. Hatton, Commissioner, Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection, jointly announced the guilty plea.

The investigation was conducted by EPA-CID and Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Greenfield is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

Ferguson is scheduled to be sentenced on August 10. He faces a maximum of three years in prison and a minimum fine of not less than $5,000 per day of violation. However, any sentence will be imposed by the Court, after its consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal sentencing statutes.

— END —

ASHLAND, Ky. – A South Point, Ohio, man, Michael Merrick, 26, was sentenced on Tuesday by Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning to 360 months for the production of child pornography. 

According to his plea agreement, in September 2024, a minor victim reported that she had been sexually assaulted by Merrick, and he had taken sexually explicit pictures of her using his phone. On September 27, 2024, law enforcement searched Merrick’s phone and located the sexually explicit photos. Merrick admitted to sexually abusing the minor victim and to producing sexually explicit images of the victim in Boyd County, Kentucky.

Under federal law, Merrick 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 25 years.

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; and Chief Todd Kelley, Ashland Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI and Ashland Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Roth is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

– END –

LONDON, Ky. – A Morehead, Ky., man, Corey Skiles, 34, was sentenced on Monday to 160 months by U.S. District Judge Robert Wier for possession with intent to distribute 500 grams of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

According to his plea agreement, on September 28, 2024, law enforcement received information that Skiles planned to transport a large quantity of controlled substances to Perry County. Law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Skiles and found 776 grams of methamphetamine, 57.34 grams of fentanyl, digital scales, and $1,483 in cash. 

Under federal law, Skiles 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. 

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; and Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Blankenship is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

– END –

LEXINGTON, Ky.- A federal criminal complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court in Lexington on Monday charging a Lexington man, Jonathan Huff, 37, with illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

According to the criminal complaint, officers with Lexington Police Department, other emergency personnel, and federal agents were dispatched to a house fire on Orleans Circle in Fayette County. During a preliminary investigation, law enforcement determined Jonathan Huff was a resident of the house and involved in criminal activity.  Law enforcement obtained a search warrant for Huff’s residence and vehicle. Two firearms were found inside the vehicle, and Huff admitted to possessing the firearms. Huff is a convicted felon originally from Indiana and prohibited from possessing a firearm.

The Lexington Police Department’s Hazardous Devices Unit, Lexington Fire Department Arson Investigators, FBI, and ATF are continuing to investigate the cause of the fire.

“This case highlights how vital rapid intervention and coordination is when a threat to public safety emerges,” said Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “Thanks to the quick and coordinated efforts of our local and federal law enforcement partners, a dangerous situation was addressed, and a prohibited individual was taken into custody. Our Office will continue to act decisively to protect our communities.”

“The defendant in this investigation is federally prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior criminal conduct,” said John Nokes, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division. “The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) remain committed to prioritizing investigations that hold accountable individuals who pose a threat to public safety and the communities we serve. We are proud to partner with the Lexington Metro Police Department, Kentucky State Police, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in this investigation.”

“It takes all of us to keep our communities safe,” said Chief Lawrence Weathers, Lexington Police Department. “I want to thank all of our federal, state, and local partners who worked with the Lexington Police Department to investigate the Orlean Circle explosion. Our continued combined efforts help make a safer community for us all.”

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, John Nokes, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division; and Chief Lawrence Weathers, Lexington Police Department, jointly announced the criminal complaint. Assistant United States Attorney Cynthia Rieker is representing the United States in this case.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations.  The Defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law.

— END — 

LEXINGTON, Ky. – An automotive management company, Jeff Wyler Automotive Family, Inc., agreed to pay $2,106,927 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act, a federal law that prohibits the submission of false or fraudulent claims.

Congress created the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to provide emergency financial assistance to small American businesses struggling to pay employees and other expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the PPP, eligible small businesses could receive forgivable loans guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Borrowers were required to certify in their applications that they were eligible for the requested loans and that the information they provided was true and accurate. Regulations provided various eligibility requirements for the PPP, including limitations on the number of employees and exceptions for certain types of businesses operating as franchises, such as automotive dealerships.

The settlement resolves allegations that Jeff Wyler Automotive Family, Inc. falsely certified it was eligible to apply for and receive forgiveness for a first-draw PPP loan. Jeff Wyler Automotive Family, Inc. served as the management company for a network of automotive dealerships. Under the PPP, automotive dealerships were not required to count affiliates’ employees in their PPP applications if the dealerships qualified for the PPP’s franchise exception. Although Jeff Wyler Automotive Family, Inc. managed automotive dealerships, it did not operate as a franchise and thus was required to include its affiliates’ employees when considering PPP eligibility. The Government contends that, together with its affiliates, Jeff Wyler Automotive Family, Inc. had more than 500 employees and was therefore ineligible for its first-draw loan.

The settlement resolves a lawsuit brought by a private citizen under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act. Under those provisions, a private party can file a civil action on behalf of the United States, thereby bringing allegations of fraud to the Government’s attention, and share in any financial recovery. As part of this resolution, the individual who filed the qui tam complaint is eligible to receive a portion of the settlement proceeds. The civil case is captioned United States ex rel. David Reed v. Jeff Wyler Automotive Family, Inc., Case No. 2:25-CV-00084-SCM.

This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan Stubblebine, with assistance from the SBA’s Office of General Counsel. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability.

– END –

LONDON, Ky. – A Louisville, Ky., woman, Sarah Morris, 33, was sentenced on Thursday to 80 months by U.S. District Judge Robert Wier for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. 

According to her plea agreement, between December 2023 and January 2025, Morris developed relationships with suppliers that allowed her to regularly obtain pound quantities of methamphetamine from them. Morris then regularly supplied multiple customers, including those who Morris knew who were distributing methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Kentucky. On some occasions, drug traffickers traveled to Louisville to obtain methamphetamine, and on other occasions, Morris traveled to Eastern Kentucky to deliver the methamphetamine.

Specifically, on January 22, 2025, Morris traveled from Louisville to Eastern Kentucky to deliver three pounds of methamphetamine. Morris had distributed a portion of the methamphetamine when law enforcement approached a building where Morris and others were located. When law enforcement approached, an individual in that building threw the majority of the methamphetamine that Morris had brought into a fire. Morris admitted that the amount that was destroyed in the fire was about two pounds. 

Under federal law, Morris must serve 85 percent of her prison sentence. Upon her release from prison, she will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for five years.

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and John Nokes, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by ATF. Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew Trimble is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

– END –

FRANKFORT, Ky. – A Lexington man, Laurance Newby, 38, was sentenced on Wednesday to 180 months by U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove for possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. 

According to his plea agreement, between December 2024 until June 2025, law enforcement used a confidential informant to purchase fentanyl from Newby on three occasions. On June 25, 2025, a trained drug-detection dog gave a positive alert for Newby’s car. Law enforcement approached the vehicle and Newby fled on foot, eventually being arrested. A search of Newby’s vehicle resulted in the recovery of a backpack containing a loaded Glock 26 firearm and 996.4 grams of cocaine, as well as 439.8 grams of fentanyl in the trunk of the car. Newby admitted that he intended to distribute the drugs located in the vehicle and that he possessed the firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking. 

Under federal law, Newby 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. 

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Jim Scott, Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville Field Division, announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the DEA. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ron Walker is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF comprises agents and officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE); U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS); US Secret Service; FBI; DEA; ATF; U.S. Marshals Service; IRS- Criminal Investigations; U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); and the Department of Labor-Office of Inspector General, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky. 

– END –

LONDON, Ky. – A Waynesburg, Ky., man, Jasper McCann, 43, was sentenced on Tuesday to 120 months by U.S. District Judge Claria Horn Boom for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

According to his plea agreement, on May 12, 2024, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle being driven by McCann. During a search of the vehicle, law enforcement located digital scales, four firearms, and approximately 206 grams of methamphetamine. McCann admitted to possessing the methamphetamine with intent to distribute it to others.

McCann had previously been convicted of trafficking in a controlled substance first degree in January 2013.

Under federal law, McCann 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 eight years.

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; John Nokes, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division; and Chief Aaron Noel, Mt. Sterling Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the ATF and Mt. Sterling Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew Trimble is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

– END –

A Harold, Kentucky, man, Michael Childers, 47, was sentenced today to 17 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Robert Wier for falsification of records.

Childers was a Lieutenant at United States Penitentiary Big Sandy, located in Inez, Kentucky. According to his plea agreement, on April 13, 2021, Childers was in the lieutenants’ office, along with Lieutenant Terry Melvin, Lieutenant Kevin Pearce, Case Management Coordinator Samuel Patrick, and Captain’s Secretary Clinton Pauley, when an inmate who had requested protective custody was brought into the lieutenants’ office. The inmate pleaded for protective custody and then was assaulted by staff members without justification.

After the assault, Childers wrote an incident report in which he falsely claimed that the inmate had struck him with his head as well as a closed fist. Childers admitted he wrote these things knowing they were false, but did so in an attempt to impede the administration of justice regarding the investigation of the unlawful assault on the inmate.

“Today’s sentence marks a significant moment of accountability. BOP personnel are entrusted with authority and responsibility — positions that demand integrity, judgment, and a commitment to the rule of law. Instead, these defendants abused that authority, not only by engaging in unlawful conduct, but by taking steps to impede justice and conceal the truth,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Parman for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “Our office remains committed to pursuing justice wherever the facts lead and such misconduct will be met with accountability.”

“The subject abused his position of power to lie about the assault of an inmate in an effort to cover up illegal actions,” said Special Agent in Charge Olivia Olson of the FBI Louisville Field Office. “The FBI will continue to hold accountable law enforcement officers who exploit their authority and damage the public's trust placed in them.”

“Today’s sentence underscores the serious nature of this misconduct and the violation of civil rights it involved,” said Federal Bureau of Prisons Director William K. Marshall III. “The Federal Bureau of Prisons will not tolerate abuse of authority and is committed to holding individuals accountable while ensuring the safety of those in our custody.”

Childers is the final defendant to be sentenced for the assault. Melvin pleaded guilty to conspiracy against rights and violating an individual’s rights under the color of law and was sentenced in April 2026 to 48 months. Patrick and Pauley pleaded guilty for their roles in the assaults of inmates and were sentenced in November 2023 to 36 and 40 months, respectively. Pearce was convicted of writing false reports that covered up the assaults of inmates and was sentenced to 66 months. Finally, Ryan Elliott, also a former USP Big Sandy lieutenant, pleaded guilty to assaulting an inmate and writing a false report about the assault of a second inmate in an unrelated incident. Elliott was sentenced in March 2024 to 12 months and one day.

Under federal law, Childers 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 one year.  

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Parman for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Acting Special Agent in Charge Matthew Loux of the Department of Justice Office of Inspector General, Chicago Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Olivia Olson of the FBI Louisville Field Office, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by DOJ-OIG and the FBI.

LONDON, Ky. – A Harold, Ky., man, Michael Childers, 47, was sentenced on Wednesday to 17 months by U.S. District Judge Robert Wier for falsification of records.

Childers was a Lieutenant at United States Penitentiary Big Sandy, located in Inez, Ky. According to his plea agreement, on April 13, 2021, Childers was in the lieutenants’ office, along with Lieutenant Terry Melvin, Lieutenant Kevin Pearce, Case Management Coordinator Samuel Patrick, and Captain’s Secretary Clinton Pauley, when an inmate who had requested protective custody was brought into the lieutenants’ office. The inmate pleaded for protective custody and then was assaulted by staff members without justification.

After the assault, Childers wrote an incident report in which he falsely claimed that the inmate had struck him with his head as well as a closed fist. Childers admitted he wrote these things knowing they were false, bud did so in an attempt to impede the administration of justice regarding the investigation of the unlawful assault on the inmate. 

Childers is the final defendant to be sentenced for the assault. Melvin pleaded guilty to conspiracy against rights and violating an individual’s rights under the color of law and was sentenced in April 2026 to 48 months. Patrick and Pauley– pleaded guilty for their roles in the assaults of inmates and were sentenced in November 2023 to 36 and 40 months, respectively. Pearce was convicted of writing false reports that covered up the assaults of inmates and was sentenced to 66 months. Finally, Ryan Elliott, also a former USP Big Sandy lieutenant, pleaded guilty to assaulting an inmate and writing a false report about the assault of a second inmate in an unrelated incident. Elliott was sentenced in March 2024 to 12 months and 1 day.

"Today’s sentence underscores the serious nature of this misconduct and the violation of civil rights it involved," said Federal Bureau of Prisons Director William K. Marshall III. "The Federal Bureau of Prisons will not tolerate abuse of authority and is committed to holding individuals accountable while ensuring the safety of those in our custody.”

“Today’s sentence marks a significant moment of accountability. BOP personnel are entrusted with authority and responsibility—positions that demand integrity, judgment, and a commitment to the rule of law. Instead, these defendants abused that authority, not only by engaging in unlawful conduct, but by taking steps to impede justice and conceal the truth,” said Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “Our office remains committed to pursuing justice wherever the facts lead and such misconduct will be met with accountability.”

"The subject abused his position of power to lie about the assault of an inmate in an effort to cover up illegal actions,” said Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office. “The FBI will continue to hold accountable law enforcement officers who exploit their authority and damage the public's trust placed in them."

Under federal law, Childers 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 one year.  

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Matthew Loux, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Department of Justice Office of Inspector General, Chicago Field Office; and Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by DOJ-OIG and the FBI.

– END –

LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Paris, Ky., man, Timothy Ray Dale, 64, was sentenced on Tuesday to 360 months by U.S. District Judge Robert Wier for the production of child pornography. 

According to his plea agreement, on October 30, 2023, a witness reported to law enforcement that there were explicit images of minors located on Dale’s phone. Law enforcement searched the device and found more than 50 sexually explicit visual depictions of two minor victims that were captured between September 30, 2023, and October 29, 2023. Dale admitted, that on two or more occasions, he used minor victims to produce explicit depictions of child pornography. 

Under federal law, Dale 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 fifteen years. 

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; Chief Mark Burden, Paris Police Department; and Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI, Paris Police Department, and Kentucky State Police. The Commonwealth Attorney’s Office for the 14th Judicial Circuit also provided significant assistance to the investigation and prosecution of the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Melton is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

– END –

LONDON, Ky. – A Science Hill, Ky., woman, Vicki Allred, 41, was sentenced on Thursday to 60 months by U.S. District Judge Robert Wier for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. 

According to her plea agreement, on April 23, 2024, Allred possessed more than 50 grams of methamphetamine with the intention of distributing it. Specifically, during the execution of a search warrant at Allred’s residence and her box trailer in the driveway, law enforcement recovered more than 280 grams of methamphetamine packaged in distribution quantities, additional plastic bags, and digital scales. Additionally, from a lockbox containing two bags of methamphetamine, law enforcement found a pistol, a loaded magazine, and four sets of digital scales. From Allred’s trailer, law enforcement also recovered a rifle, four loaded AR magazines, and a shotgun with ammunition. Allred admitted that she possessed the firearms to protect herself from the dangers associated with drug trafficking. 

Under federal law, Allred must serve 85 percent of her prison sentence. Upon her release from prison, she will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for four years. 

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Pearce Nesbitt is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

– END –

LONDON, Ky. – A London man, Jimmy Barrett, 47, was sentenced on Wednesday to 220 months by U.S. District Judge Robert Wier for possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. 

According to his plea agreement, on September 13, 2024, Barrett was driving back to London, Ky., after meeting with his source of supply in the Louisville, Ky., area, where he obtained approximately six pounds of methamphetamine. Law enforcement attempted to execute a traffic stop on Barrett’s vehicle, but he refused, leading police on a high-speed chase through Laurel County. Barrett ultimately wrecked his vehicle from the police chase, a search of which led to the location and seizure of the six pounds of methamphetamine. Barrett admitted to intending to distribute this methamphetamine to other mid- and lower-level methamphetamine traffickers in the London and Corbin areas. 

Under federal law, Barrett 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 10 years.

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; John Nokes, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division; and Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by ATF and KSP. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sam Dotson is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

– END –