Lexington Man Sentenced for Drug Trafficking, Money Laundering, and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking

FRANKFORT, Ky. – A Lexington man, Rollie Deshawn Lamar, 31, was sentenced to 220 months, by U.S. District Judge Greg Van Tatenhove, following his convictions at trial for conspiracy to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana, money laundering, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. 

According to evidence presented at trial, in late 2021, law enforcement began investigating Lamar and others.  The investigation revealed that an individual working for Lamar would travel to Detroit, once or twice a week, bringing back approximately 50 pounds of high-quality marijuana each trip.  Lamar then sold this marijuana, by the pound, in the Lexington area.  In March 2022, the Kentucky State Police joined the investigation, making a vehicle stop that yielded a large quantity of high-quality marijuana.

Thereafter, on April 6, 2022, a search warrant was executed at Lamar’s residence, where law enforcement seized more than $1.86 million, four expensive vehicles and approximately $220,00 in jewelry, all of which were proceeds of drug trafficking.  They also seized several firearms.  That same day, law enforcement stopped another vehicle, leading to the seizure of approximately $27,000 in additional drug proceeds.  Additionally, after Lamar had been indicted, there was another vehicle stop, which resulted in the seizure of additional drug proceeds, including approximately $11,000 and $10,000 in jewelry.

In all, law enforcement seized items totaling more than $2 million.

Under federal law, Lamar 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; Erek Davodowich, Acting Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville Field Division; Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Detroit Field Division; Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division; Col. Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police; Chief Lawrence Weathers, Lexington Police Department; and Chief Dustin Bowman, Frankfort Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.

The case was investigated by the DEA, ATF, KSP, Lexington Police Department, and Frankfort Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Roger West prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

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