ASHLAND, Ky. – Corey J. Benton, 34, of Hamtramck, Michigan, will spend over eleven years behind bars after being sentenced Monday to 138 months in federal prison for flooding Carter County, Kentucky, with deadly fentanyl. Benton was convicted on charges of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, a combination that sent him to U.S. District Judge David Bunning for a harsh penalty.
The Kentucky State Police initiated the investigation back in October 2022, quickly uncovering Benton’s operation. Evidence revealed he was peddling illicit drugs laced with both fentanyl and fluorofentanyl – a particularly potent fentanyl analogue – directly within the community. The investigation didn’t stop at drug sales; authorities focused on the dangerous tools of his trade.
A search warrant executed at Benton’s residence turned up a significant distribution quantity of fentanyl, enough to cause widespread harm. But the seizure didn’t end there. Law enforcement also recovered a .45 caliber Sig Sauer firearm, which Benton readily admitted he possessed specifically to protect his drug operation. The weapon underscored the violent potential of his criminal enterprise.
Federal sentencing guidelines require Benton to serve at least 85 percent of his 138-month sentence. This isn’t a slap on the wrist; it’s a lengthy commitment designed to keep a dangerous trafficker off the streets. Upon his eventual release, Benton will face another four years under the watchful eye of the U.S. Probation Office.
The takedown was a joint effort, spearheaded by the ATF Louisville Field Division and the Kentucky State Police. “This case demonstrates our commitment to disrupting the flow of deadly drugs into our communities and holding accountable those who profit from addiction,” said Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Task Force. Col. Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the KSP, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of interagency cooperation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Rieker prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky, led by U.S. Attorney Carlton S. Shier, IV. The investigation serves as a stark reminder that those who deal in fentanyl, and arm themselves while doing so, face serious federal consequences. The Grimy Times will continue to follow federal prosecutions across the nation.
Related Federal Cases
- Ciro Macias Martinez, Drug Trafficking, Kentucky 2018 · Alabama
- James William Miller, Armed Methamphetamine Trafficking, Kentucky 2018 · Illinois
- Andrew Maurice King, Drug Trafficking and Firearm Offense, Kentucky 2020 · Alabama
- Thomas Hamblin, Kidnapping, Armed Drug Trafficking, Kentucky 2021 · Illinois
- Demetric A. Flint, Drug Trafficking and Firearm Possession, Kentuck… · Kentucky
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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