A Louisville man has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison for his role in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy. Joseph Cook, 46, received the sentence on August 28, 2025, after being convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott of the DEA Louisville Field Division, Special Agent in Charge John Nokes of the ATF Louisville Field Division, and Chief Paul Humphrey of the Louisville Metro Police Department.
Court documents show that between August 20 and August 22, 2024, Cook conspired with others to possess with intent to distribute at least 50 grams of methamphetamine. On August 20, Cook supplied codefendant John Jecker with 111.35 grams of methamphetamine and again possessed that same amount for distribution. Two days later, he possessed an additional 799 grams stored in a safe at his apartment. The total amount involved was more than 910 grams. Testing by the DEA laboratory confirmed the substance as methamphetamine.
Cook's sentence also includes six years of supervised release following his prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
The case was investigated by the ATF with assistance from the DEA Louisville Field Division and the Louisville Metro Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erwin Roberts prosecuted the case.
According to officials, "This conviction is a part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN)."
