Lexington Fluorofentanyl Kingpin Gets 35 Years

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Michael Byrd, 34, of Lexington, is facing decades behind bars after being sentenced to 35 years in federal prison Monday for a large-scale fluorofentanyl trafficking operation. Chief U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves handed down the sentence, finding Byrd responsible for a staggering amount of the deadly opioid analogue.

Byrd was convicted on charges of conspiracy to distribute fluorofentanyl, possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of the substance, and possession with intent to distribute 10 grams or more. The second superseding indictment also named Je’Von Byrd, 22, and Savannah Asberry, 27, as co-conspirators. The conspiracy unfolded in Fayette County between January 2021 and May 2022. Law enforcement seized significant quantities of drugs during searches of a vehicle and a Lexington residence. The operation took a dangerous turn when a police canine overdosed after exposure to the drugs during a foot pursuit, requiring immediate veterinary care.

Federal prosecutors detailed that Byrd’s involvement encompassed more than 4.6 kilograms of fluorofentanyl. The sentencing was further enhanced due to Byrd’s possession of a firearm and the operation of a drug distribution premises. This isn’t Byrd’s first brush with the law; he previously racked up convictions in Louisville for first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, kidnapping, wanton endangerment, and fleeing or evading police in 2008. In 2017, he was again convicted, this time for being a felon in possession of a handgun, demonstrating a pattern of escalating criminal behavior.

Asberry, a co-conspirator, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 120 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release in November 2022. Je’Von Byrd has also pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing on February 24, 2023. Byrd will be required to serve 85 percent of his 35-year sentence under federal law, and will face 10 years of supervised release upon his eventual release. The sentence sends a clear message that trafficking in such dangerous substances will not be tolerated.

“In addition to his extensive and violent criminal history, the defendant was illegally dealing in massive amounts of fluorofentanyl, a powerful opioid analogue of fentanyl,” stated Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “This drug is particularly dangerous and frequently fatal – and he was responsible for more than four and half kilograms. In this case, a police canine was exposed to it, overdosed, and needed veterinary care. Clearly, the risk to the public from his conduct was enormous. His sentence is certainly warranted and would not have been possible without the dedicated efforts of all our law enforcement partners.”

ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Maynard of the Louisville Division added, “Drug dealers with guns are criminals who pose an increased threat to the safety of our communities.” The case was a joint effort between the ATF and the Lexington Police Department. The investigation was conducted by those agencies, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Cindy Rieker handling the prosecution. The sentencing is part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing violent crime through a comprehensive approach to public safety. – END –

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