A Webbville, Kentucky man, Kenneth Ison Jr., aged 55, has been sentenced to 120 months in prison. The sentencing was handed down by Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning for charges related to methamphetamine trafficking and illegal firearm possession.
According to the plea agreement, a search warrant was executed in September 2024 at Ison's residence in Lawrence County and his vehicle. This operation involved the Kentucky State Police and the Grayson Police Department. During the search, officers found approximately 168 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 33 grams of suspected fentanyl, and marijuana. Lab tests confirmed the presence of at least 76 grams of actual methamphetamine and 26 grams of actual fentanyl. Additionally, 17 firearms were seized, including one that was stolen. At the time of his arrest, Ison was on parole for a previous felony conviction for drug trafficking from Carter Circuit Court and was prohibited from possessing firearms.
Ison admitted to possessing narcotics with intent to distribute them and having firearms in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities.
Under federal law, Ison is required to serve 85 percent of his sentence. Following his release from prison, he will be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for five years.
The sentence announcement was made jointly by Paul McCaffrey, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; John Nokes, Special Agent in Charge at ATF Louisville Field Division; Col. Phillip J. Burnett Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police; and Chief Tony Cantrell from Grayson Police Department.
The investigation was conducted by ATF, KSP, and Grayson Police Department with Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Rieker prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
This case is part of "Project Safe Neighborhoods" (PSN), a nationwide crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime through comprehensive public safety efforts including investigation, prosecution, prevention, and reentry initiatives coordinated by Acting U.S. Attorney McCaffrey with various law enforcement officials.
