Feds Charge Three In Relation To Meth Distribution At Keeton Corrections In Paducah

PADUCAH, Ky. – Three men with ties to a Paducah halfway house have been charged by a Federal Grand Jury sitting in Paducah last week with possession with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine and other charges, announced United States Attorney Russell Coleman.

“We promised that the feds would be more relevant in protecting folks in the Purchase Region” said U.S. Attorney Russell Coleman. “This investigation is a prime example of that, with state and federal partners working together to tackle a very real threat to this community. Paducah should be very proud of the fine work of its police department and Commonwealth’s Attorney.”

DeAnthony Woods, 32, of Paducah; Ralph Gaines Jr., 31, of Paducah; and David Jones, 27, of Madisonville, have all been charged by the grand jury for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine. According to the indictment, between April 12, 2019, and May 28, 2019, Woods, Jones, and Gaines Jr. knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent distribute and distributed 50 grams or more of a mixture of a substance with a detectable amount of methamphetamine.

Gaines Jr., is also charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, use/carry of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Gaines Jr. has a previous felony conviction in state court for two counts of first-degree trafficking cocaine in 2016 and another prior felony conviction for four counts of first degree trafficking cocaine in 2008.

The federal charges come on the heels of a two-month investigation by the Paducah Police Department into drug trafficking at Keeton Corrections. The Paducah Police Department charged eight people on charges of trafficking methamphetamine and/or trafficking in synthetic drugs in state court, and detectives recovered more than one quarter pound of meth during the course of the investigation. The United States Attorney’s Office worked in close coordination with investigators and the Commonwealth’s Attorney to bring charges against the three men listed in the federal indictment.

Woods, Gaines and Jones face no less than 5 years and a maximum sentence of 40 years (in prison) for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Gaines faces no more than 20 years for possession with intent to distribute meth, no less than 5 years for use/carry firearm during and in relation to drug trafficking crime and no more than 10 years for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Leigh Ann Dycus, and is being investigated by the Paducah Police Department and the Kentucky Department of Corrections, Division of Probation and Parole, in cooperation with the Office of McCracken Commonwealth’s Attorney Dan Boaz.

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The indictment of a person by a Grand Jury is an accusation only and that person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty