Cincinnati Man Sentenced for Multiple Drug Trafficking Charges

COVINGTON, Ky. – A Cincinnati, Ohio, man, Devante Garrett, 30, was sentenced on Thursday, by Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning to 360 months in prison, for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possession of 100 grams or more of a fentanyl analogue with intent to distribute, and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.

Garrett was convicted of the charges in May 2025 at the conclusion of a four-day trial. Evidence at trial showed that Garrett led a conspiracy to distribute more than 275 grams of a substance containing a fentanyl analogue, more than 40 grams of fentanyl, and cocaine.  He was arrested in Kenton County on October 14, 2023, with these drugs hidden behind the panel of the driver’s door of the vehicle he was operating.  Garrett was previously arrested in Boone County on August 17, 2023, while in possession of $6,440 in cash and a scale containing residue of fentanyl and cocaine. Additional witness testimony showed that Garrett and James Waller, another Cincinnati resident, regularly traveled to Lexington, Kentucky, to distribute fentanyl and cocaine from May 2023 through October 2023.   

Four other members of the conspiracy pled guilty and have already been sentenced to prison terms.  James Waller received a sentence of 132 months.  Quintus Jones received a sentence of 60 months.  Kasey Allen received a sentence of 54 months. Christopher Scull received a sentence of 6 months. 

Under federal law, Garrett must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for five years.

Paul McCaffrey, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Jim Scott, Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville Field Division; Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police; Chief Brian Valenti, Covington Police Department; Chief Bill Birkenhauer, Highland Heights Police Department; and Sheriff Michael Helmig, Boone County Sheriff’s Office, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by DEA, KSP, Covington Police Department, Highland Heights Police Department, and Boone County Sheriff’s Office. The U.S. Attorney’s Office was represented in the case by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Spievack and Tony Bracke.

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