Fentanyl Duo Get Double-Digit Time in Kentucky

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The streets of Richmond, Kentucky are marginally safer today after two residents received significant federal prison sentences for their roles in a fentanyl distribution conspiracy. Travis B. Preston, 28, and Tiffany L. Griffith, both facing the consequences of dealing in deadly narcotics, learned their fate in U.S. District Court.

U.S. Senior District Court Judge Joseph M. Hood handed down an 11-year sentence to Travis B. Preston for conspiring to distribute 40 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl. His accomplice, Tiffany L. Griffith, received a five-year sentence for aiding and abetting the same crime. Both will be required to serve a hefty 85 percent of their respective terms, a clear message from the court regarding the severity of the offense.

The bust originated from a routine traffic stop on April 5, 2016, in Lancaster, Ky. Officers discovered approximately 121 grams of fentanyl hidden within Griffith’s purse – enough to kill thousands. The investigation quickly escalated, revealing a conspiracy to distribute the potent opioid throughout the region. This wasn’t a small-time operation; this was a deliberate attempt to profit from addiction and death.

Both Preston and Griffith eventually pleaded guilty to the charges in December of 2016, admitting their involvement in the fentanyl distribution scheme. While a guilty plea doesn’t erase the harm caused, it did factor into the sentencing, though Judge Hood clearly wasn’t swayed by attempts at leniency. The pair will also face eight years of supervised release for Preston and four for Griffith after they complete their prison terms.

The collaborative effort that brought these dealers to justice involved multiple agencies. Carlton S. Shier, IV, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, joined forces with Timothy J. Plancon, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Richard W. Sanders, Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police, and Tim Davis, Garrard County Sheriff, to announce the sentences. This wasn’t a solo act; it was a coordinated takedown.

Assistant United States Attorney Robert M. Duncan, Jr. skillfully prosecuted the case, presenting the evidence gathered by the Garrard County Sheriff’s Office, the Kentucky State Police, and the DEA. The message is clear: federal law enforcement is actively targeting fentanyl traffickers and will pursue lengthy prison sentences for those who profit from the opioid crisis. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the ongoing fight against drug trafficking in Kentucky and beyond.