The final defendant in a case involving a series of violent crimes, drug offenses, and money laundering has received a sentence of 39 years in federal prison. This follows the earlier sentencing of several other individuals involved in the same case.
U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett from the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Stansbury of the FBI Louisville Field Office, Chief Paul Humphrey of the Louisville Metro Police Department, Bullitt County Sheriff Walt Sholar, and Jefferson County Sheriff John E. Aubrey jointly made the announcement. “This case is an example of the benefit of the strong working relationships that exist between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in the Western District of Kentucky,” stated U.S. Attorney Bennett. He credited excellent collaboration among law enforcement agencies and federal prosecutors for removing violent offenders and enhancing community safety.
The main defendant, John E. Lohden, Jr., aged 35 and from Louisville, was given a 39-year prison sentence on March 25, 2025, followed by five years of supervised release. His charges include kidnapping, robbery, impersonating law enforcement, drug trafficking, and several firearm-related offenses. Lohden, Jr. is already prohibited from gun possession due to prior felony convictions, which include receiving stolen property, tampering with evidence, escaping custody, and wanton endangerment.
Other sentences in the case include Dayton Peterson, 24, also from Louisville, who was handed a 30-year prison term, while Joshua Lohden, 26, received a 22-year sentence. David Langdon, 39, was sentenced to over 11 years, and J. Louis Nance, 34, was sentenced to six years. Samantha Trummer, 30, was given four years of probation for her involvement in unlawful monetary transactions.
The convictions and sentences followed a 10-day jury trial in March 2024, where Peterson, Lohden, Jr., and Trummer were found guilty, while other defendants pleaded guilty prior to the trial.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI, LMPD, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and Bullitt County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by the ATF, IRS, DEA, and Kentucky State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alicia P. Gomez and Frank E. Dahl III, with support from paralegal Adela Alic.
This operation, known as Operation Take Back America, forms part of a national initiative by the Department of Justice, aimed at combating organized crime, transnational criminal organizations, and violent crime, as outlined in statements related to OCDETFs and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
There is no parole in the federal prison system.
