Estill County Man Sentenced to 180 Months for Methamphetamine Trafficking and Illegal Firearm Possession

LEXINGTON, Ky.— An Irvine, Ky., man, George Harrison, 56, was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison on Monday, by U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell, after previously being convicted of three counts of distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, one count of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

According to evidence at trial, Harrison sold methamphetamine to the Kentucky State Police, in a series of controlled purchases.  Specifically, Harrison sold over 50 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant, on three separate occasions, in September of 2018.  During a search of his premises, at the time of arrest, approximately 12 grams of methamphetamine and over $1,000.00 was found.  Harrison was arrested on September 18, 2019 and detained at the Fayette County Detention Center.  While incarcerated, Harrison communicated through recorded jail phone calls with his girlfriend about securing drugs, money, and a firearm that law enforcement did not recover during the search of his house. The Kentucky State Police secured another search warrant and recovered a 45-caliber pistol, $16,546.00 and more than 500 grams of methamphetamine.  The jury found that the $16,546.00 was forfeitable to the United States, as drug proceeds.

Harrison was convicted in May 2021.   

Under federal law, Harrison 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 10 years.

Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; J. Todd Scott, Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville Field Division; Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division; Jerry C. Templet Jr., Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations; and Colonel Phillip “PJ” Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police, announced the sentencing.

The investigation was conducted by DEA, ATF, DHS-HSI, and the Kentucky State Police. The United States was represented in the case by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily K. Greenfield.

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