Jason A. Cottongim, Drug Trafficking and Firearms Offenses, Kentucky 2018

LONDON, Ky. - A Manchester, Kentucky man has been sentenced to 147 months in federal prison for his role in a drug trafficking and firearms offense.

Jason A. Cottongim, 39, was sentenced to 147 months in federal prison by United States District Judge Robert E. Wier for possession with the intent to distribute Xanax, being a felon in possession of firearms, and using firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.

Cottongim was discovered in the Save-a-lot parking lot in Manchester on April 26, 2018, armed with a loaded Smith & Wesson pistol in his pocket and a loaded semi-automatic M-11 at his feet. Law enforcement officers seized over 319 Xanax pills, $16,148 in cash, digital scales, distribution baggies, and ammunition from the vehicle.

Under federal law, Cottongim must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence; and upon his release, he will be under the supervision of the United States Probation Office for five years.

The investigation was conducted by the ATF, Manchester Police Department, KSP, and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. The United States was represented by Assistant United States Attorney Jenna E. Reed.

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.

Cottongim entered a guilty plea to all the charges during his trial in November of 2018. Judge Wier also ordered Cottongim to forfeit $16,148 in cash, two firearms, and ammunition.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edky/pr/manchester-man-sentenced-147-months-drug-trafficking-and-firearms-offenses