Donald Demil Clay, a 50-year-old resident of Frankfort, was found guilty on Apr. 23 by a federal jury in Frankfort for possession with intent to distribute cocaine. The conviction followed a two-day trial.
The case highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement and federal prosecutors to address drug-related offenses in the region. According to testimony presented at trial, the investigation into Clay began after law enforcement received several tips that he was renting a commercial property in Frankfort for storing and distributing cocaine. Following months of surveillance, officers executed a search warrant at the property and seized about four ounces of cocaine hidden inside a box attached to a custom poker table.
Clay had previously been convicted of possession with intent to distribute cocaine in July 2014 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky. Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Colin Jackson, Acting Special Agent in Charge from Homeland Security Investigations; Jim Scott, Special Agent in Charge from the Drug Enforcement Administration's Louisville Field Division; and Chief Derrick Napier from the Frankfort Police Department jointly announced Clay's conviction.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky enforces federal laws and prosecutes criminal cases according to its official website. The office also works on community initiatives addressing issues such as drug abuse prevention and elder protection according to its official website. In addition, it collaborates with federal, state, and local agencies on programs like the Elder Justice Task Force and Heroin Education Action Team according to its official website.
Clay is scheduled for sentencing on July 9. He faces up to 30 years in prison; however, his sentence will be determined based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and applicable statutes before final imposition by the court.
