Two Madison County Residents Found Guilty of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and Cocaine

LEXINGTON, Ky. – On November 27, a federal jury sitting in Lexington found Richard C. Duerson and Jennifer G. McFarland, both of Richmond, Kentucky, guilty of conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of cocaine.

In addition to the conspiracy charge, both were also found guilty of individual counts of possession with intent to distribute the drugs.

According to the evidence at trial, on March 2, 2019, officers with the Richmond Police Department obtained and executed a search warrant on Duerson’s apartment in Richmond.  During the search, in Duerson’s bedroom, officers located quantities of cocaine and over 50 grams of methamphetamine, including 661 pills containing methamphetamine, as well as approximately $10,000 in cash wrapped in a sock in the bedroom closet.

After Duerson’s arrest, officers investigated several recorded phone calls he made to McFarland from the Madison County Detention Center, discussing the removal of various items from his apartment.  On March 8, 2019, officers obtained a second search warrant, for McFarland’s Richmond residence.  During this search, officers located approximately 303 grams of methamphetamine, 679 grams of cocaine, several firearms, and multiple items used for mixing and preparing narcotics for sale.

Duerson and McFarland will appear for sentencing on March 6, 2020.  On the conspiracy conviction, Duerson faces a sentence of 15 years to life in prison, while McFarland faces a sentence of 10 years to life in prison.  Duerson also faces 5 to 40 years for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and up to 20 years in prison for possession with the intent to distribute cocaine.  McFarland faces 5 to 40 years in prison for each conviction for possession with the intent to distribute.  However, any sentence will be imposed by the Court, after its consideration of the United States Sentencing Guidelines and any applicable federal sentencing statutes.

Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Daniel Dodds, Acting Special Agent in Charge, DEA, and James Ebert, Chief of Police, Richmond Police Department, jointly made the announcement.  At trial, the United States was represented by Assistant United States Attorney Francisco Villalobos II.

– END –