U.S. Attorney Carlton S. Shier IV | U.S. Department of Justice
A Nicholasville, Kentucky man, Billy Wilkins, aged 44, received a 30-year prison sentence on Wednesday. The sentencing was delivered by U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove following Wilkins' convictions for drug trafficking and firearms offenses.
The charges against Wilkins included possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine. Additionally, he faced charges for possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Evidence presented during the trial revealed that on November 4, 2021, law enforcement officials from the DEA and Jessamine County Sheriff's Department executed a search warrant at Wilkins' residence in Nicholasville. The search uncovered significant quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine. Officers also found two firearms and multiple rounds of ammunition inside the residence. A third firearm was discovered under the crawl space of the house. Further investigation confirmed that Wilkins had prior drug trafficking convictions in Kentucky.
Under federal law, Wilkins is required to serve at least 85 percent of his prison sentence. After his release from prison, he will be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for ten years.
The announcement of the sentence was made jointly by Carlton S. Shier IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Jim Scott, Special Agent in Charge at the DEA's Louisville Field Division; and Sheriff Kevin Grimes from the Jessamine County Sheriff's Office.
The investigation leading to these convictions was carried out by the DEA and Jessamine County Sheriff's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paco Villalobos is handling prosecution duties on behalf of the United States.
