Versailles Man Sentenced to 240 Months for Armed Methamphetamine Trafficking

LEXINGTON, Ky. — A Versailles, Ky., man, David McKinney, 52, was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison on Wednesday, by U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell, after previously pleading guilty to distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.           

According to his plea agreement, McKinney admitted that, from November to December 2019, he distributed more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.  On December 10, 2019, during traffic stop, law enforcement found McKinney in possession of methamphetamine and a handgun. The firearm was loaded with a round in the chamber.  Law enforcement also located a digital scale in McKinney’s pocket.  McKinney admitted that he possessed the handgun for his protection and to further his drug trafficking crimes.

McKinney pleaded guilty in October 2020.

Under federal law, McKinney name must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence; and upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 10 years.

Carlton S. Shier, IV, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; J. Todd Scott, Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville Field Office; and Lt. Colonel Phillip Burnett, Acting Commissioner, Kentucky State Police, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the DEA and Kentucky State Police.  The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francisco Villalobos.

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, Acting U.S. Attorney Shier coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.

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