FRANKFORT, Ky.- A Montgomery County, Ky., man, Scotty Allen Jones, 48, pleaded guilty yesterday, before U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove, to distributing a fentanyl and heroin mixture, possessing 10 grams of acetylfentanyl with intent to distribute, possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and being a felon in possession of firearms.
As part of his plea agreement, Jones admitted that in September 2018 he sold quantities of heroin and fentanyl mixtures to a confidential informant who was working with law enforcement. During one of the drug transactions, Jones admitted to possessing a firearm for the purpose of furthering his drug trafficking
Jones also admitted in his plea agreement to pawning at least two firearms at a local pawn shop in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, in February 2019. Jones has prior felony convictions for drug trafficking and burglary, and was prohibited from possessing firearms.
In March 2019, officers with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife attempted to arrest Jones on several outstanding warrants while Jones was at a gas station in Jeffersonville, Kentucky. Jones fled from the officers, and after both a vehicle and short foot pursuit, Jones was apprehended. Upon his arrest, Jones was found in possession of 10 grams of acetylfentanyl, a Schedule I controlled substance. As part of his plea agreement, Jones admitted that intended to distribute the acetylfentanyl in his possession.
Jones also admitted in his plea agreement to possessing eight firearms discovered by law enforcement during a search of barn in Jeffersonville, Kentucky, in April 2019.
Jones was indicted in July 2019.
Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division; Commissioner Rodney Brewer, Kentucky State Police; and Colonel Eric Gibson, Law Enforcement Director, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife jointly announced the guilty plea.
The investigation was conducted by ATF, KSP, and the KY Dept. of Fish and Wildlife. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francisco Villalobos.
Jones is scheduled to be sentenced on December 10. He faces a minimum sentence of at least 10 years (5 years minimum on the possession with intent to distribute acetylfentanyl charge, and 5 years consecutive for the possession of firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking charge), and maximum sentence of up to life imprisonment for the commission of these offenses. However, any sentence will be imposed by the Court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal sentencing statutes.
This is another case prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods" Program (PSN), which is a nationwide, crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety - one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts. In the Eastern District of Kentucky, U.S. Attorney Robert Duncan Jr., coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.
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Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
