Source: Office of United States Attorneys
ASHLAND, Ky. – An Ashland man, Dennis Hall, 49, was sentenced on Monday, to 130 months in prison, by U.S. District Judge David Bunning, for distribution of 50 gram or more of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
According to his plea agreement, on March 4, 2024, law enforcement observed a vehicle speeding and executed a traffic stop on the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle had an outstanding warrant for his arrest and the passenger, Hall, also had a warrant for his arrest. A search of the vehicle revealed a bag of 71.5 grams of methamphetamine located between Hall’s legs. Additionally, officers located a loaded firearm between the passenger seat and center console. Hall admitted that he possessed the firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Hall had previously been convicted of burglary second degree in Greenup Circuit Court in 2012.
Under federal law, Hall must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, 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; Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division; and Chief William Todd Kelley, Ashland Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by ATF and the Ashland Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Rieker is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
This case was prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide, crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety — one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts. In the Eastern District of Kentucky, U.S. Attorney Shier coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
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