Versailles Man Sentenced to 120 Months for Armed Methamphetamine Trafficking

LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Versailles, Kentucky man, Danny Wayne Bedwell, 29, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison on Friday, by Chief United States District Judge Danny C. Reeves, after previously pleading guilty to trafficking methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

Bedwell previously admitted that on March 7, 2018, he trafficked crystal methamphetamine, to a cooperating witness for law enforcement. According to the plea agreement, Bedwell admitted that on April 27, 2018, law enforcement found heroin, methamphetamine, and a loaded .380 pistol. Bedwell further admitted to law enforcement that he had been distributing methamphetamine and the drugs from his house. 

Bedwell pleaded guilty in November 2019.           

Under federal law, Bedwell must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence and will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for five years following his release.

Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Dan Dodds, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Louisville Field Division; Tommy Estevan, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Louisville Field Division, jointly made the announcement.

The investigation was conducted by ATF and DEA.  The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Roger West.

This is another case prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide, crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety — one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts. In the Eastern District of Kentucky, U.S. Attorney Robert Duncan Jr., coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.

            This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. Click here for more information about Project Guardian.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

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