Jevan M. Sheppard, U-4 Distribution Resulting in Death, Kentucky 2017

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – In a devastating case of opioid trafficking, two Calvert City residents have been charged with intentionally distributing U-4, a Schedule I controlled substance, resulting in the death of a user and serious bodily injury to another.

Jevan M. Sheppard, 25, and Thomas Jared Hardin, 23, both of Marshall County, were charged by grand jury indictment on June 13, 2017. The indictment was unsealed today during initial appearances before Magistrate Judge Lanny King.

Sheppard and Hardin are accused of conspiring with one another to possess and intentionally distribute U-4 between November 14, 2016 and March 22, 2017 in Marshall County, Kentucky. The alleged activity resulted in the death of T.M. and serious bodily injury to K.M.

Further, on March 13 and March 14, 2017, in Marshall County, Sheppard and Hardin are each charged with knowingly and intentionally distributing U-4, resulting in the death of T.M. and serious bodily injury to K.M.

Sheppard is also charged with a single count of possession with the intent to distribute U-4 on March 22, 2017 and with a single count of knowingly and intentionally importing into the United States, from China, an amount of U-4, a Schedule I controlled substance, resulting in the death of T.M. and serious bodily injury to K.M.

If convicted of the charges in the grand jury indictment, both defendants could be sentenced to no less than 20 years in prison, and up to and including a life sentence, fined no more than $1,000,000 and serve no less than a three year period of supervised release.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Seth Hancock. The case is being investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, the McCracken County Sheriff’s Department, Paducah Police Department, and the Calvert City Police Department, with assistance from the Marshall County Attorney, the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Marshall County, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The charge of a person by Grand Jury Indictment is an accusation only and that person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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