Defendant was trafficking large amounts of a fentanyl analogue, fentanyl, and methamphetamine in Central Kentucky
LEXINGTON, KY — A Nicholasville, Ky., man, Stephen Lancaster, 31, was sentenced to 262 months in federal prison on Monday, by Chief U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves, for possession with intent to distribute 10 grams or more of a fentanyl analogue, possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to his guilty plea agreement, on April 14, 2022, deputies with the Jessamine County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in which Lancaster was a passenger. Lancaster admitted to law enforcement that he had a large amount of narcotics and a firearm in the vehicle. During the search of the vehicle, deputies located 23 grams of fluorofentanyl, a fentanyl analogue, 332 grams of fentanyl, 54 grams of pure methamphetamine, and 236 grams of multicolored pills containing methamphetamine. Deputies also found a loaded AR-style pistol under the passenger seat, and a drum magazine. Lancaster admitted that he possessed the drugs with the intent to distribute them, and he possessed the firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Under federal law, Lancaster must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence; and upon his release, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for five years.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; J. Todd Scott, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Louisville Field Office; and Kevin Grimes, Jessamine County Sheriff, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by DEA and the Jessamine County Sheriff’s Office. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Rieker.
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