Nelson County, Kentucky, Felon Guilty Of Possession With The Intent To Distribute 400 Pounds Of Marijuana

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A Nelson County, Kentucky, felon pleaded guilty in United States District Court today to a single count indictment charging him with possession and intent to distribute marijuana announced David J. Hale, United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky.

According to information presented in court, Joseph P. O’Bryan, age 45, attempted to sell 400 pounds of marijuana for $320,000 to a law enforcement confidential informant on October 8, 2013. At the time of the sale, defendant O’Bryan was on supervised release for a prior, federal felony conviction. According to conduct stipulated in the plea agreement, O’Bryan will forfeit $22,100 to the United States for money received during the sale of 22 pounds of marijuana to a law enforcement confidential informant on February 28, 2013.

If convicted at trial, defendant O’Bryan would face a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, and a period of supervised release up to and including life.

O’Bryan is scheduled for sentencing before Senior Judge Charles R. Simpson III, on Friday, May 16, 2014 at 3:00pm in Louisville.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Zimdahl and was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).