Kentucky Man Sentenced for Meth Distribution Scheme

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Logan County’s Danny Neal Stokes, 62, of Russellville, pleaded guilty this week in federal court for his role in a methamphetamine distribution scheme that saw him conspire with Howell Dean O’Bryan and Jordan Dale Wallace. The operation, which transpired in Simpson County, Kentucky, yielded over one and a half pounds of crystal meth.

On May 15, 2015, O’Bryan knowingly intended to distribute fifty grams or more of methamphetamine he obtained from Stokes. Laboratory analysis revealed the actual amount as 459.3 grams, roughly one pound. Wallace was apprehended that day while en route to pay for the drugs.

Stokes himself possessed and intended to distribute over fifty grams in July 2015, with a lab report showing 162.5 grams of pure methamphetamine. A massive traffic stop turned up $184,597 in cash along with the drugs.

O’Bryan previously entered his guilty plea on July 21, 2016, for distributing 459.3 grams of meth and two firearms offenses. Wallace followed suit, confessing to his conspiracy role on March 20, 2017. All three are currently awaiting sentencing in federal custody.

According to their Plea Agreements, the U.S. will recommend sentences ranging from ten to fifteen years plus five-year Supervised Release for Stokes and O’Bryan, and Wallace faces ten years plus five years of Supervised Release. Sentencing hearings will be presided over by District Judge Greg N. Stivers in Bowling Green this summer.

Assistant United States Attorney Jo E. Lawless is the lead prosecutor on the case. The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Kentucky State Police (including its Vehicle Enforcement Division).

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