Winchester Man Sentenced to 300 Months for Drug Trafficking and Being a Convicted Felon in Possession of 19 Stolen Firearms
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Jeffery L. Barnett, 49, of Winchester was sentenced to 300 months in federal prison by United States District Judge Danny C. Reeves, for the possession with the intent to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to the plea agreement, a federal search warrant was executed at Barnett’s residence in Winchester, on March 11, 2019. ATF agents and KSP detectives located over 100 grams of a heroin/fentanyl mix that was meant for sale and seized over $2,000 in drug proceeds. A subsequent search was executed at a nearby storage unit leased by Barnett, and 19 stolen firearms were discovered. Barnett has five prior felony drug trafficking convictions and qualified as a “Career Offender” under federal law.
“The defendant’s criminal history, the type and quantity of drug he intended to distribute, and the numerous firearms he illegally possessed, directly led to his lengthy sentence,” said United States Attorney Robert M. Duncan, Jr. “I commend the cooperation and dedicated work of ATF and KSP in building the investigation that led to this prosecution and conviction.”
Barnett previously pleaded guilty on June 10.
“Repeat violent offenders are a threat to the safety and security of our communities,” stated ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge Tommy Estevan of the Louisville Field Division. “All too often, drug dealers use guns to further their violent criminal activities. Today’s sentence reflects ATF’s ongoing commitment to working with our law enforcement partners to reduce violent crime and make our communities safer for everyone.”
Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Tommy Estevan, Acting Special Agent in Charge for ATF; and Richard W. Sanders, Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police, jointly made the announcement.
The investigation was conducted by the ATF and the Kentucky State Police. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Roger W. West.
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