Lexington Couple Sentenced for Drug Trafficking, Firearm Offenses

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Brandi Stamper, 30, of Lexington, was sentenced yesterday to 15 years in federal prison, by Chief United States District Judge Karen K. Caldwell, for conspiring to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl, more than an ounce of crack cocaine, and more than half a kilo of cocaine.   Stamper was also sentenced for being a felon in possession of firearms and for possessing a firearm in furtherance of her drug trafficking crime.

On Monday, Stamper’s co-defendant, Michael D. Jackson, 37, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to the charges.  Jackson’s convictions, combined with his criminal record, qualified him as both an Armed Career Criminal and Career Offender. 

Jackson and Stamper previously admitted that, in early 2017, members of the Lexington Police Department (LPD), Narcotics Unit began an investigation into the residence they shared.  The residence was located on Norway Street, near Lafayette High School.  During the investigation, LPD stopped and searched Jackson’s vehicle, discovering a 9 mm firearm and large quantities of drugs.  LPD detectives also executed a search on their residence where Stamper was located.  LPD located  quantities of a fentanyl mixture and cocaine, more than $80,000 in cash, a loaded Taurus handgun, a loaded Glock semi-automatic pistol, a loaded Cobra semi-automatic pistol, which was determined to have been stolen, and a vehicle that had been purchased with proceeds from Jackson and Stamper ’s drug trafficking. 

Jackson admitted that he had prior drug trafficking convictions in Fayette Circuit Court.  Stamper also admitted that she had prior felony convictions for Trafficking in Cocaine and Possession of Cocaine in Fayette Circuit Court.  Jackson and Stamper pleaded guilty to these federal charges in April 2018.

“The Defendants’ drug trafficking activities, possession of firearms, and past criminal histories have led to this result,” stated Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky.  “The sentences imposed should serve as warning to those who engage in similar criminal activities.  If you illegally possess firearms, particularly if you are engaged in drug trafficking, you are putting yourself at risk for a substantial stay in federal prison.” 

“I want to commend the work of the ATF and the Lexington Police Department on this investigation and prosecution,” said U.S. Attorney Duncan.  “The partnership between federal, state, and local law enforcement is vitally important in preventing violent crime and reducing the danger caused by drug trafficking activities.”  

Under federal law, Jackson and Stamper must serve 85 percent of their respective prison sentences. Upon release, Jackson and Stamper will both be under the supervision of the United States Probation Office for eight years.

United States Attorney Duncan; Stuart Lowery, Special Agent in Charge, ATF; and Chief Lawrence Weathers of the Lexington Police Department, jointly made the announcement.

The investigation was conducted by the ATF and the Lexington Police Department.  The United States was represented by Assistant United States Attorney Roger W. West.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.