Department of Justice

LEXINGTON, Ky.— A Lexington man, Marcus Jones, 40, was sentenced to 220 months in federal prison on Monday, by Chief U.S. District Judge Danny C Reeves, for conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and distribution of 50 grams of methamphetamine.  

According to Jones’ plea agreement, beginning in December 2018 and continuing through April 2019, law enforcement utilized a confidential informant to purchase methamphetamine through Jones and DeAngelo Smith, 36, of Detroit.  During the investigation, law enforcement were able to determine that Jones and Smith were working together and with others to distribute methamphetamine.  The amount of methamphetamine attributable to Smith and Jones is at least 50 grams.

Smith, 36, was previously sentenced in April 2021 to 160 months for his role in the offenses.

Jones pleaded guilty in April 2021. Smith pleaded guilty in January 2021.  

Under federal law, Jones and Smith must serve 85 percent of their prison sentences. Upon release from prison, Jones and Smith 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; and Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division; jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by ATF and Gateway Area High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HITDA) Task Force.  The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Rieker.

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.