A federal jury in Paducah, Kentucky, has found Robert Blaine guilty of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, as well as committing seven counts of money laundering. The verdict was reached after a three-day trial.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett from the Western District of Kentucky, alongside officials from various law enforcement agencies including the DEA Louisville Field Division and the Hopkinsville Police Department.
Court documents revealed that between May 2020 and January 2022, Blaine conspired with Roderick Tutt and Jessica Ochoa to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine and more than 400 grams of a fentanyl mixture. During this period, Blaine wired money to Ochoa for drugs and mailed $36,960 obtained from drug sales to her. On January 21, 2022, he arranged for Tutt to travel to Arizona to collect drugs from Ochoa. Tutt was apprehended on his return journey with a substantial quantity of fentanyl pills and methamphetamine.
Both Tutt and Ochoa pleaded guilty on July 20, 2023, to charges related to the conspiracy. They are set for sentencing on March 25, 2025.
Blaine's sentencing is scheduled for May 5, 2025. He remains in custody facing a minimum sentence of 25 years up to life imprisonment.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the DEA Paducah Post of Duty and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations Division. Assistant United States Attorney Leigh Ann Dycus prosecuted the case with support from paralegal Cristy Crockett.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force operation aimed at dismantling high-level criminal organizations threatening the United States.