Louisville, KY - The final defendant in a federal methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy has received sentencing. U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge John Nokes of the ATF Louisville Field Division, and Louisville Metro Police Department Chief Paul Humphrey jointly announced the development.
Court records indicate Kelvin Watkins, 41, from Louisville, was sentenced to 13 years and 4 months in federal prison on April 17, 2025. He will also serve 5 years of supervised release after prison for counts related to conspiracy and distribution of methamphetamine. At the time of these offenses, Watkins was already on federal supervised release. Consequently, his previous term was revoked, adding another 2 years and 4 months, making a total of 15 years and 8 months in prison.
Previously, on March 27, 2025, Courtney Martin, 38, also from Louisville, was sentenced to 12 years in prison and 5 years of supervised release for similar drug offenses.
Durelle Clayton, 35, received a 10-year prison sentence with 5 years of supervised release on August 1, 2024, for conspiracy and distribution of methamphetamine.
It's noted that no parole is available in the federal system.
The ATF and Louisville Metro Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frank Dahl and Emily Lantz led the prosecution.
This sentencing is part of Operation Take Back America. The operation is a nationwide Department of Justice initiative that applies collective resources to combat illegal immigration and dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations, focusing on community safety. The program integrates efforts within the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.
