Fentanyl and Carfentanil Trafficking in Lexington, Kentucky, Lands Man Up to Life in Prison
Lexington, KY – In a severe blow to the city’s opioid epidemic, a federal jury convicted Eugene Laron Fishback, aka "Geno," 32, of five counts of drug trafficking in Lexington, Kentucky.
The jury found Fishback guilty of conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 10 grams or more of carfentanil, two counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and carfentanil, and two counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
The charges stemmed from a four-day trial that began on an unknown date and concluded with approximately 90 minutes of deliberation. According to testimony, between July 1, 2022, and December 7, 2023, Fishback conspired with others to distribute fentanyl and carfentanil.
During a court-ordered eviction on October 11, 2023, Fayette County Constables and members of the Lexington Police Department found plastic bags containing over 7,000 fentanyl tablets, as well as four semi-automatic pistols, ammunition, and large capacity clips, in Fishback’s Lexington apartment. He and his girlfriend, Tedi Hawkins, later relocated to another apartment complex and came under DEA and Lexington Police Department investigation.
A federal search warrant executed on the new residence in December 2023 resulted in the seizure of more than 1,000 additional fentanyl tablets and a quantity of carfentanil. Fishback was later arrested from his vehicle, which contained another 1,000 fentanyl tablets and more than 10 grams of carfentanil.
Fishback has a history of prior felony convictions and had four pending state felony indictments in Fayette County at the time of his indictment on these federal charges.
"Fentanyl is an incredibly dangerous drug, involved in approximately 80% of all overdose deaths in Kentucky," said Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. "Carfentanil is far worse, approximately 100 times more potent than fentanyl. Removing these dangerous drugs from our streets will save lives."
Fishback is scheduled to appear for sentencing on September 20, 2024, and faces up to life in prison.
Key Facts
- State: Kentucky
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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