Lexington Man Sentenced for Armed Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Trafficking

LONDON, Ky. – A Lexington, Ky., man, Daniel Matthews, 36, was sentenced on Monday, by U.S. District Judge Claria Horn Boom, to 228 months, for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, including 400 grams of fentanyl and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

According to his plea agreement, on August 1, 2023, Matthews intended to make a delivery of controlled substances to another dealer that he regularly supplied; but before the delivery could be made, law enforcement stopped his vehicle and seized $3,956 in cash, a large quantity of fentanyl pills (weighing approximately 177 grams), and a loaded pistol, which were in the back pocket of his seat.  Thereafter, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the Matthews’s residence, where they located more than 15,000 fentanyl pills (approximately 1.5 kilograms of fentanyl) more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.

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

Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field 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 Drew Trimble prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

This case was prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide, crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities.  It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety — one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts.  In the Eastern District of Kentucky, U.S. Attorney Shier coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.

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