On June 27, 2025, a federal jury in Louisville, Kentucky found two men from Shelbyville guilty of multiple drug trafficking and firearms offenses. The defendants, Benjamin Quintero Martinez and Rodolfo Reyes Martinez, were convicted of possessing with the intent to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine. They were also found guilty of possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking activities and as convicted felons.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner for the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge John Nokes of the ATF Louisville Field Division, U.S. Marshal Gary B. Burman for the Western District of Kentucky, and Chief Paul Humphrey of the Louisville Metro Police Department.
Court documents revealed that on December 15, 2022, both men possessed over one kilogram of fentanyl along with a pill press used for manufacturing illicit pills containing fentanyl. They also had over 200 grams each of methamphetamine and cocaine and were found with seven firearms related to their drug trafficking activities.
Benjamin Quintero Martinez has prior felony convictions including several counts of trafficking controlled substances and possession of firearms by a convicted felon between 2014 and 2017 in various circuit courts. Rodolfo Reyes Martinez was previously convicted for complicity to escape in 2019 and being a felon in possession of a firearm in 2022.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 25, 2025. Quintero Martinez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years while Reyes Martinez faces at least 15 years; both could receive up to life imprisonment. Sentences will be determined by a federal district court judge based on guidelines and statutory factors.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America which aims to combat illegal immigration and dismantle criminal organizations through coordinated efforts from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The investigation involved the ATF, USMS, and LMPD with prosecution led by Assistant United States Attorneys Frank Dahl and Josh Porter assisted by paralegal Adela Alic.
