A Lexington man has been sentenced to 188 months in federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine and money laundering. Eric D. James, 32, was sentenced on September 2018 by United States District Judge Danny C. Reeves.
According to court documents, James was involved in a conspiracy to obtain large quantities of cocaine from the southwest United States in early January 2017. The drugs were transported to Lexington via passenger vehicle, with the cocaine concealed in various compartments within the vehicles.
The proceeds from the distribution of these drugs were returned to the source. On May 18, 2017, the Lexington Police stopped a vehicle carrying approximately 6 kilograms of cocaine. A search warrant was executed at the residence of James’ co-defendant, Ansar McIver, on June 12, 2017, and law enforcement seized a quantity of cocaine and approximately $586,369, which were proceeds from the drug distribution.
James had previously been convicted of a drug trafficking felony in Indiana and Possession of Cocaine in Kentucky. He was on parole for drug trafficking at the time he committed these offenses. James pleaded guilty in September 2018.
Under federal law, James must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release, he will be under the supervision of the United States Probation Office for ten years.
James was also ordered to pay a fine of $2,000 and to forfeit his interest in $586,369 in cash. The investigation was conducted by the FBI, the Kentucky State Police, and the Lexington Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Roger W. West represented the United States in the case.
The Lexington Police Department, the Kentucky State Police, the FBI, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky jointly announced the sentencing.
Key Facts
- State: Kentucky
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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