COVINGTON, KY – A brazen display of armed drug dealing landed two Northern Kentucky men in federal prison this week. Anthony Michaelis, 34, of Covington, received a staggering 258 months – over 21 years – for possession of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine with intent to distribute, and for brandishing a firearm during the commission of the crime. His accomplice, Blake Barnes, 23, of Alexandria, KY, will spend 60 months behind bars for the same offenses.
The case unfolded on January 16, 2022, at a Circle K gas station in Dayton, KY. According to court documents, Michaelis and Barnes approached a group of individuals at a gas pump, offering to sell them drugs. The transaction quickly turned menacing when Michaelis allegedly pulled a handgun and pointed it at the potential buyers. Thankfully, the group immediately alerted police, who swiftly located and apprehended both men.
A search revealed Barnes was carrying a backpack stuffed with over 12 grams of fentanyl and more than 3 grams of methamphetamine. Michaelis wasn’t far behind, with over 23 grams of cocaine hidden in his pants pocket. This wasn’t a first-time offense for Michaelis, either. Back in 2021, authorities had already caught him with over 70 grams of cocaine, 346 grams of marijuana, and a cool $5,320 in cash, all earmarked for distribution.
Both men eventually pleaded guilty: Michaelis in August 2022, and Barnes in September 2022. But the sentencing goes beyond just the current charges. Michaelis entered court with a pre-existing criminal record, including convictions for robbery, assaulting a police officer, and even assaulting an inmate while incarcerated. This history clearly influenced Judge David Bunning’s harsh sentencing decision.
Under federal guidelines, both Michaelis and Barnes are required to serve 85 percent of their respective sentences. Once released, Michaelis will be under supervised probation for six years, while Barnes will face five years of supervision. The case was a joint effort by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Dayton Police Department, and the Covington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Bracke led the prosecution for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky.
“This case demonstrates the dangers of drug trafficking and the violence that often accompanies it,” said a statement released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. But in the streets, the message is clearer: bring the poison, bring the gun, and you’ll pay a steep price. This bust sends a message to anyone looking to flood Northern Kentucky with fentanyl and other dangerous narcotics – the ATF and local law enforcement are watching, and they’re ready to act.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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