A Pikeville man, Samuel C. Atkins, 52, has been sentenced to 33 years in prison for drug trafficking and firearms possession. U.S. District Chief Judge Danny C. Reeves delivered the sentence of 396 months on Friday for Atkins' involvement in fentanyl distribution and illegal firearm possession.

Court documents reveal that on January 3, 2023, the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force apprehended Atkins at a residence in Richmond due to two outstanding state arrest warrants. During the search, authorities discovered sixteen firearms along with methamphetamine and fluorofentanyl in his bedroom. Despite having prior felony convictions, Atkins admitted to acquiring some firearms through drug trafficking activities.

Following his arrest, detention center staff responded to an incident where four inmates experienced non-fatal overdoses in Atkins's cell. A subsequent search uncovered multiple baggies containing approximately two and a half ounces of fentanyl or fluorofentanyl. Atkins confessed to smuggling these drugs into the detention center after his initial arrest and distributing them among fellow inmates.

Federal law mandates that Atkins serve at least 85 percent of his sentence before release. Post-release, he will be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for eight years.

The sentencing was announced by Carlton S. Shier IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge of ATF Louisville Field Division; Jeremy Honaker, Acting U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Kentucky; and Sheriff Mike Coyle from Madison County Sheriff's Office.

The investigation involved collaboration between the ATF, U.S. Marshals Service, and Madison County Sheriff's Office with Assistant U.S. Attorney Paco Villalobos prosecuting the case.