Louisville man found guilty in federal court

Large-scale trafficker of heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine

PRESS RELEASE

NEW ALBANY- United States Attorney Josh Minkler announced today a guilty verdict in a large-scale drug trafficking case operating in the New Albany and Louisville, Kentucky, area. Terrance Brasher, 37, Louisville, was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine after a four-day jury trial in New Albany, before U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt.

“Drug trafficking not only contributes to our nation’s opioid addiction problem, it also brings serious violence to our neighborhoods,” said Minkler. “Those who choose to ignore our drug laws by bringing dangerous substances into our communities will face the hammer of federal law enforcement.”

Beginning in October 2014 and ending in December 2015, Brasher was part of a drug trafficking organization that distributed large quantities of heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine in the New Albany and Louisville area. Brasher and others used an automotive shop and other locations in Louisville, New Albany, and Evansville, Indiana, to conduct their collaborative drug activities, including the delivery of drugs and transfer of drug proceeds. The conspirators often used cellular phones to communicate with one another to further their transactions, using coded language to describe their drug trafficking activities.

 Co-conspirators Carlos Shelton, Terry Martin, Jeffrey Coleman, and Maycoe Ortiz, have all pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. Ten other individuals charged in the same conspiracy have been convicted and sentenced.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Explosives, New Albany Police Department, Jeffersonville Police Department and Louisville Metro Police Department.   

 “The FBI has made a concerted effort with our law enforcement partners to help address the drug problem in the New Albany area and this verdict shows these partnerships are succeeding in disrupting and removing violent drug dealing groups from our communities,” said W. Jay Abbott, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Indianapolis Division.

According to Assistant United States Attorney William McCoskey and Drug and Violent Crime Chief Barry Glickman, who prosecuted this case for the government, Brasher faces a mandatory life sentence. No sentencing date has been set.

     In October 2017, United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced a Strategic Plan designed to shape and strengthen the District’s response to its most significant public safety challenges. This prosecution demonstrates the office’s firm commitment to utilize and partner with law enforcement agencies to prosecute individuals engaged in the distribution of heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine. See United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana Strategic Plan  Section 3.3.

###