James Everett Smith, Methamphetamine Trafficking, Kentucky 2020
LONDON, Ky. — James Everett Smith, 51, of Booneville, Kentucky, has pleaded guilty to methamphetamine trafficking and firearm charges in federal court.
According to the plea agreement, Smith admitted to possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
On September 23, 2018, law enforcement officers responded to a report of shots fired near Smith's residence. Officers approached Smith as he attempted to get in his van and found him in possession of 19 grams of methamphetamine and two pistols. Smith gave officers permission to search his residence, where they found approximately 685 grams of methamphetamine, two additional pistols, two shotguns, $1,170, and digital scales.
Smith was prohibited from possessing firearms because of multiple prior felony convictions, including two 2006 Manufacturing Methamphetamine convictions from Owsley County.
Smith was indicted in June 2019 and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 19, 2020. He faces a mandatory minimum 20 years in prison, up to life in prison, and a maximum fine of $20 million.
Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Tommy Estevan, Acting Special Agent in Charge for the Louisville Division of ATF; and Commissioner Rodney Brewer, Kentucky State Police, jointly announced the guilty plea.
The investigation was conducted by KSP and ATF.
Key Facts
- State: Kentucky
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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