U.S. Attorney Carlton S. Shier IV | U.S. Department of Justice
An Ashland resident, Dennis Hall, 49, has been sentenced to 130 months in prison by U.S. District Judge David Bunning. The sentence was handed down for the distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Hall's plea agreement detailed that on March 4, 2024, law enforcement observed a speeding vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. Both the driver and Hall, who was a passenger, had outstanding warrants for their arrests. A search revealed 71.5 grams of methamphetamine between Hall’s legs and a loaded firearm between the passenger seat and center console. Hall admitted to possessing the firearm for drug trafficking purposes.
Previously convicted of second-degree burglary in Greenup Circuit Court in 2012, Hall is required under federal law to serve at least 85 percent of his sentence. After release, he will be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for five years.
The sentencing announcement was made jointly by Carlton S. Shier IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge at ATF Louisville Field Division; and Chief William Todd Kelley from the Ashland Police Department.
The investigation involved ATF and the Ashland Police Department with Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Rieker prosecuting on behalf of the United States.
This case falls under “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN), a nationwide crime reduction initiative aimed at decreasing violent crime through comprehensive strategies involving crime investigation and prosecution as well as prevention efforts coordinated by U.S. Attorney Shier with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
