Four Newburg Area Men Sentenced for Federal Drug Trafficking and Firearms Charges

Louisville, KY – Four men, originally from Mississippi but most recently living here, have been sentenced for their roles in a drug trafficking ring occurring in apartments located in the Newburg area of Louisville. The men have also been sentenced for illegally possessing numerous firearms after having previously been convicted of felonies.

U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen of the FBI Louisville Field Division, and Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel of the Louisville Metro Police Department made the announcement.

On Wednesday, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, Seiko Ross, 38, was sentenced to 14 years and 7 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for committing the following offenses to which he previously pled guilty: conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine; possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine, fentanyl, marijuana, and five grams or more of methamphetamine; and being in possession of three firearms after having previously been convicted of the following felonies. On March 20, 2019, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Kentucky, Seiko Ross was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm. On November 7, 2016, in Rankin Circuit Court, Mississippi, Seiko Ross was convicted of possession of cocaine. On March 19, 2012, in Hinds Circuit Court, Mississippi, Seiko Ross was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Also on Wednesday, Robert Ross, 28, was sentenced to 11 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for committing the following offenses to which he previously pled guilty: conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine; possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine; and being in possession of seven firearms after having previously been convicted of the following felonies. In two separate cases on February 17, 2019, in Jefferson Circuit Court, Kentucky, Robert Ross was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm, receiving a stolen firearm, tampering with physical evidence, trafficking in a controlled substance, and tampering with physical evidence. On January 28, 2016, in Hinds Circuit Court, Mississippi, Robert Ross was convicted of conspiracy to commit a crime.

On January 26, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, Cory Ross, 31, was sentenced to 9 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for committing the following offenses to which he previously pled guilty: conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine.

On November 21, 2022, Andre Ross, 47, was sentenced to 4 years and 3 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for committing the following offenses to which he previously pled guilty: conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and possessing four firearms after having previously been convicted of the following felonies. On March 23, 2009, in Pike Circuit Court, Mississippi, Andre Ross was convicted of conspiracy to commit a crime. On October 6, 2000, in Hinds Circuit Court, Mississippi, Andre Ross was convicted of possession of cocaine.

There is no parole in the federal system.

“I commend LMPD and the FBI for their excellent work in this case as well as each agency’s ongoing commitment to making our communities safer,” stated U.S. Attorney Bennett. “LMPD’s solid partnerships, with this office and with our local federal law enforcement agencies, are crucial to the continued success of our strategic enforcement efforts.”

“Due to the hard work and coordination between FBI Louisville and our law enforcement partners, members of this drug trafficking organization will spend a significant time behind bars and no longer be a threat to the safety of innocent families throughout the Louisville community,” said Special Agent in Charge Cohen. “The FBI remains committed to identifying and investigating the violent gangs that continue to plague our streets with drugs and guns.”

“LMPD would like to thank the US Attorney’s Office and the FBI for their collaboration in this investigation,” stated Chief Gwinn-Villaroel. “The successful prosecution of individuals who pose a danger to our community is illustrative of the strong partnership between LMPD and our federal law enforcement partners.” 

This case was investigated by the Louisville Metro Police Department’s Criminal Interdiction Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  

Assistant United States Attorneys Erin McKinzie and Jo E. Lawless prosecuted the case.

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