FRANKFORT, Ky. – In a hard-hitting blow to the illegal arms and drug trade in Kentucky, David Hager, 27, of Lexington, was sentenced on Wednesday to 120 months for his role in the illegal possession and trafficking of firearms and fentanyl.
Hager was convicted on two counts of possessing a firearm by a convicted felon, one count of possession of a machine gun, and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. The sentence handed down by U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove is a significant blow to the 27-year-old’s criminal enterprise.
The ATF investigation that led to Hager’s downfall began in May 2023 when agents received information indicating he was involved in distributing both firearms and fentanyl. Through their undercover operations, ATF purchased 15 firearms and a machine gun conversion device from Hager, along with approximately 10 grams of the deadly substance.
Following these purchases, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Hager’s residence, where they discovered three additional firearms (one of which was stolen), multiple high-capacity magazines, suspected explosive devices, and nearly 37 grams of fentanyl. Hager’s previous felony conviction barred him from possessing a firearm, making his actions all the more egregious.
Under federal law, Hager will serve 85 percent of his sentence before being released into supervision by the U.S. Probation Office for three years. Carlton S. Shier IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge of ATF Louisville Field Division; and Chief Lawrence Weathers of the Lexington Police Department jointly announced the sentence.
This case was brought under the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program, a nationwide crime reduction initiative targeting violent crime. In the Eastern District of Kentucky, U.S. Attorney Shier coordinates PSN efforts with federal, state, and local law enforcement to enhance public safety.
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Related Federal Cases
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- Lexington Dealer Gets Life for Deadly Fentanyl · Kentucky
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- Fayette County Man Gets 78 Months for Fentanyl, Gun Charges · Kentucky
Key Facts
- State: Kentucky
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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