Grimy Times investigated a federal case against Robert Ashton Kerns, a 23-year-old Long Beach man, who was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for his involvement in fentanyl trafficking.
Gulfport, Miss. – On April 17, 2018, officers with the Gulfport Police Department were dispatched to a Sonic Drive-In after a report of a man passed out in the driver’s seat of a running vehicle. The man was Robert Ashton Kerns, and he was in possession of approximately 300 dosage units of oxycodone, an opiate painkiller, and over 1,500 dosage units of Xanax, a benzodiazepene.
After lab testing, it was determined that the substances were counterfeit and contained fentanyl and fentanyl analogues, a powerful opiate which is deadly in relatively small amounts.
The Gulfport Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Meynardie.
On June 12, 2018, Kerns was charged in a federal criminal indictment. He pled guilty on March 1, 2019 to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and fentanyl analogues.
United States District Judge Sul Ozerden sentenced Kerns to 46 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for his crimes.
The case against Kerns serves as a reminder of the dangers of fentanyl and the importance of law enforcement’s efforts to combat opioid trafficking.
Defendant: Robert Ashton Kerns
Criminal Charge: Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl and Fentanyl Analogues
City and State: Gulfport, Mississippi
Date: April 17, 2018
Sentence: 46 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release
Key Facts
- State: Mississippi
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Drug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug Trafficking