A Detroit man has been convicted of armed fentanyl trafficking in a Kentucky federal court. Jarrett Howard, 56, of Richmond, Ky., was found guilty of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
The investigation began in November 2021 when law enforcement received information from a confidential informant that Howard was responsible for distributing fentanyl in Madison County. This led to a search of Howard’s residence, where police found 285 grams of fentanyl, 416 grams of cocaine, and two loaded firearms.
The discovery at Howard’s residence also included a digital scale and $34,450 in cash. Howard was indicted in June 2023 and the case went to trial last week. After just three days of testimony, the jury delivered a guilty verdict in under an hour.
The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Carlton S. Shier, IV, and other law enforcement officials announced the verdict, praising the work of DEA, ATF, KSP, and Richmond Police Department in bringing Howard to justice.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Greenfield is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States. Howard will appear for sentencing on August 28 and faces up to life in prison. The Court must consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and applicable federal sentencing statutes before imposing its sentence.
The jury’s verdict is a significant blow to the fentanyl trafficking ring in Kentucky. It highlights the need for continued collaboration between law enforcement agencies to combat the opioid crisis and bring those responsible to justice.
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Key Facts
- State: Kentucky
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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