Tyler Leathers, Armed Drug Trafficking, Kentucky 2024

A 35-year-old man from Owen County, Kentucky has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for his role in a large-scale drug trafficking operation.

Tyler Leathers of Owenton, Kentucky was sentenced to 180 months in prison on Monday by U.S. District Judge Greg Van Tatenhove, following convictions for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, cocaine, and 10 grams or more of fluorofentanyl, as well as possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

According to his plea agreement, on September 29, 2023, law enforcement served an unrelated state arrest warrant on Leathers and searched the property. Inside, they found cocaine, a ledger, multiple clear baggies, scales, and several thousand dollars. In the garage, law enforcement found methamphetamine, fentanyl, fluorofentanyl, and additional drug trafficking paraphernalia.

Law enforcement also found 10 firearms, throughout the residence. Leathers admitted that he possessed the drugs with the intent to distribute them and that he possessed the firearms in furtherance of his drug distribution.

Under federal law, Leathers must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for five years.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Owen County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittany Baker is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

The case serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of engaging in large-scale drug trafficking operations. It also highlights the importance of collaboration between local and federal law enforcement agencies in combating this type of crime.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edky/pr/owen-county-man-sentenced-armed-drug-trafficking