LEXINGTON - A Lexington man faces a minimum of 20 years in prison after he was convicted by a federal jury of distributing heroin and fentanyl which resulted in the death of an individual.
On Tuesday evening, the jury convicted 43 year-old Christopher Allen for distribution of heroin and fentanyl resulting in death, conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl. The jury returned the verdict after approximately two hours of deliberation following two days of trial.
“Trafficking in deadly drugs such as heroin and fentanyl has increased dramatically in Lexington and surrounding communities over the last few years," said Kerry B. Harvey, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “The results have been deadly. Fayette County documented 29 overdose deaths in 2008. By 2015, that number had risen to 137. The victims grow younger every year and these tragedies reach every area of our community. This is a crisis that requires us to use every available tool to fight back. One such tool is the federal law that imposes a prison sentence of 20 years to life, with no parole, on those who illegally distribute drugs that cause death or serious injury. Those involved in drug trafficking should know that we are using this tool with increasing frequency, working closely with our law enforcement partners."
According to testimony, in September of 2015, Allen distributed heroin and fentanyl to a Lexington woman who used the drugs, overdosed and died. The woman was found by her boyfriend in her home.
Authorities were able to verify that Allen supplied the drugs to the victim. A toxicologist testified that the woman died as a result of the toxic effects of the heroin and fentanyl. The toxicologist further testified that the victim ingested a lethal dose of fentanyl, three times the normal therapeutic range.
Kerry B. Harvey, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Timothy J. Plancon, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration; and Mark Barnard, Chief of Lexington Police, jointly made the announcement today.
The investigation was conducted by the Lexington Police and DEA. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Todd Bradbury and Cindy Rieker, prosecuted this case on behalf of the federal government.
Allen is scheduled to be sentenced on August 22. He faces a minimum of 20 years in prison and a maximum of life. However, the Court will impose sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statutes.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
