Livingston County Men Sentenced for Methamphetamine Distribution

Paducah, KY – Two Livingston County men have been sentenced for their roles in a local drug and firearms investigation. 

U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky and Special Agent in Charge R. Shawn Morrow of the ATF Louisville Field Division made the announcement.

According to court documents, on July 19, 2023, Richard Middleton, 41, of Tiline, Kentucky, was sentenced to 7 years and 6 months in prison, followed by a 5-year term of supervised release, for distributing methamphetamine and possessing firearms after having been convicted of felony offenses. On May 23, 2023, Bobby Copeland, 52, also of Tiline, Kentucky, was sentenced to 6 years and 5 months in prison, followed by a 5-year term of supervised release, for aiding and abetting the distribution of methamphetamine. There is no parole in the federal system.

The case was investigated by the ATF Paducah Post of Duty, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Western Kentucky Violent Crimes Task Force, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office, and the Kentucky State Police. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Leigh Ann Dycus, of the U.S. Attorney’s Paducah Branch Office, prosecuted the case.

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