An Aberdeen, Ohio man, Gary Cunningham Jr., has been convicted by a federal jury in Covington for several drug trafficking offenses. The verdict was reached after slightly over an hour of deliberation following a four-day trial.
Cunningham, 37, faced one count of conspiracy with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and eight counts of distribution of five grams or more of methamphetamine.
During the trial, evidence presented showed that law enforcement had identified Frederick Overly III as a supplier of methamphetamine. A confidential informant made eight controlled purchases from Overly. Each transaction involved Overly contacting Cunningham to supply the methamphetamine. Cunningham then sold the drugs to Overly who sold them to the informant. These transactions amounted to more than 50 grams.
Cunningham's criminal history includes previous convictions for three counts of first-degree trafficking in Mason County Circuit Court in 2013 and second-degree robbery in Mason County Circuit Court in 2014.
Both Cunningham and Overly were indicted in July 2023. While Cunningham stood trial, Overly pleaded guilty to his charges in August 2024.
The conviction was announced by Paul McCaffrey, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, alongside Michael Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge at the FBI Louisville Field Office.
The FBI conducted the investigation with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tony Bracke and Drew Spievack representing the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Cunningham is scheduled for sentencing on May 29, 2025. He faces a minimum sentence of 15 years and could receive up to life imprisonment depending on federal sentencing guidelines and statutes considered by the court.
