A Lexington man has been slapped with a harsh sentence for his role in a fentanyl trafficking operation.
James W. Jointer, Jr., 31, was sentenced to 188 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves for his crimes, which included two counts of possession of firearm by a convicted felon, two counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and one count of possession of a machinegun.
According to his plea agreement, Jointer was identified as a trafficker of firearms and narcotics by agents with the ATF in November 2022. During the investigation, the ATF purchased two firearms and 15.9 grams of pressed fentanyl pills from Jointer. The agency also purchased a machinegun conversion device, commonly referred to as a ‘Glock’ switch, which was later confirmed to convert a semi-automatic firearm into an automatic firearm.
Under federal law, Jointer knew he had a prior felony conviction for trafficking in a controlled substance first degree in Fayette Circuit Court from 2015, and was prohibited from possessing a firearm. His actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for the law and put countless lives at risk.
Jointer’s sentence will see him serve 85 percent of his time, with six years of supervised release to follow upon his release from prison. The investigation was conducted by the ATF, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Rieker prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
The sentencing was jointly announced by Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Louisville Field Office. The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle against fentanyl trafficking in our communities.
Related Federal Cases
- Lexington Man Gets 188 Months for Fentanyl Trafficking, Machine Gun Possession · Kentucky
- Lexington Man Sentenced to 6 Years for Fentanyl Trafficking and Firearms Crimes · Kentucky
- Lexington Dealer Joshua Ewing Sentenced to Life for Fentanyl Death · Kentucky
- Lexington Dealer Gets Life for Deadly Fentanyl · Kentucky
- Lexington Duo Admits to Near-Fatal Fentanyl Flood · Kentucky
Key Facts
- State: Kentucky
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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