Three Convicted, in Separate Cases, of Distributing Fentanyl that Resulted in a Fatal Overdose

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Defendants, in three separate indictments, have entered guilty pleas to distributing fentanyl that resulted in a death.  In one case, Kloud Logan Jones, 27, of Mt. Sterling, Ky., pleaded guilty on October 19, 2018.  Jones admitted that on November 23, 2017, he distributed the lethal drug to an individual identified as R.A.S., while both were inmates at the Montgomery County Regional Jail.  Video surveillance from the jail captured the incident.  The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) jointly investigated the death, which led to federal charges.

In a separate case, Garry Sean Ramone Drake, Jr, 26, of Lexington, pleaded guilty on November 26, 2018, to distribution of fentanyl resulting in the death of an individual identified as M.R., on November 30, 2017, in Fayette County.  Drake is the second individual convicted of distribution resulting in M.R.’s death.  Phillip Clayton Jennings, 23, also of Lexington, previously entered a guilty plea to the same charge.  Proof gathered during the investigation showed that both defendants were in the chain of distribution of the fentanyl mixture that led to the death. The Lexington Police Department and the DEA jointly investigated the death, which led to federal charges.

All three defendants face a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.  Sentencing for each of the defendants will occur in the United States District Courthouse, in Lexington, before the United States District Judge Danny C. Reeves.             

“The distribution of fentanyl and other dangerous drugs is devastating our community with addiction and death,” said Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky.  “These three convictions demonstrate law enforcement’s continuing commitment to thoroughly investigate and prosecute drug distribution that results in an overdose.  Each of these defendants will be facing a lengthy sentence of imprisonment, based on their decision to distribute fentanyl.  Their conduct resulted in a death and the loss of their freedom is now the consequence.”

United States Attorney Duncan; Darrell Christopher Evans, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Louisville; Fred Shortridge, Montgomery County Sheriff; and Lawrence Weathers, Chief of Police, Lexington-Fayette County Division of Police, jointly announced the convictions.  Assistant United States Attorney Todd Bradbury prosecuted the cases on behalf of the United States.