Thomas Hamblin, Kidnapping, Armed Drug Trafficking, Kentucky 2021

LONDON, Ky—A Perry County man, Thomas Hamblin, 65, was sentenced to 270 months in federal prison on Tuesday, by U.S. District Judge Claria Horn Boom.

Hamblin was convicted of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of that conspiracy, possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, kidnapping, and conspiracy to commit a kidnapping in June 2021.

According to evidence presented at trial, Hamblin was working with others, including Bobby Sizemore, Robert Keith Caudill, and Doyle Back, to obtain kilogram quantities of cocaine, and to sell that cocaine to others in the Perry County area.

Evidence further revealed that, after an attempted drug deal, Hamblin coordinated with others, including Luke Holbrook and Michael Rayburn, to kidnap and assault two victims in Tazewell, Tennessee. Specifically, Hamblin recruited Luke Holbrook into the plot and provided him with a firearm and ammunition.

Hamblin’s co-defendants have been sentenced to the following: Bobby Sizemore, 64, of Cornettsville, Ky., was sentenced to 30 months and two years of supervised release. Michael Rayburn, 39, of London, Ky., was sentenced to 135 months and three years of supervised release. Luke Holbrook, 51, of Seco, Ky., was sentenced to 163 months of three years of supervised release. Robert Caudill, 41, of Cornettsville, Ky., was sentenced to 78 months and five years of supervised release. Doyle Back, 41, of London, Ky., was released based on time served (approximately 449 days) and received three years of supervised release.

Under federal law, Hamblin and his co-defendants must serve 85 percent of their prison sentence. Upon Hamblin’s release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for four years.

The investigation was conducted by the DEA, the Hazard Police Department, Operation UNITE, the Tazewell Tennessee Police Department, the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Department, and the Kentucky State Police. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew Trimble.

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