The sixth and final defendant in a significant criminal case in Louisville was sentenced to 39 years in federal prison. This sentence concludes legal proceedings involving violent crimes, drug and firearm offenses, and money laundering. The final defendant, John E. Lohden, Jr., 35, was sentenced on March 25, 2025. His charges included kidnapping, robbery, drug trafficking, and firearm offenses. Following his prison term, Lohden is subject to 5 years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Stansbury of the FBI Louisville Field Office, Chief Paul Humphrey of the Louisville Metro Police Department, Sheriff Walt Sholar of the Bullitt County Sheriff's Office, and Sheriff John E. Aubrey of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office made the announcement. "This case is an example of the benefit of the strong working relationships that exist between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in the Western District of Kentucky," said U.S. Attorney Bennett. "As a result of excellent collaboration and tireless work by our law enforcement agencies and federal prosecutors, violent offenders have been removed from our streets making our community safer for all who live, work, and visit here."
Special Agent Stansbury emphasized the impact of Lohden's actions: "John E. Lohden, Jr., and his associates used law enforcement impersonation tactics to terrorize innocent individuals, ultimately undermining the public’s trust in legitimate police officers and creating a climate of fear and anxiety in our neighborhoods." He further stated, "Lohden, Jr.'s sentence of decades behind bars should serve as a clear message to violent offenders walking our streets. The FBI, working alongside our partners at all levels, will find you and ensure you face the full weight of the law."
The investigation found that Lohden orchestrated multiple crimes, including two counts of kidnapping, two counts of impersonator making arrest or search, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, two counts of possession of an unregistered firearm, robbery, using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and heroin, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and heroin.
Other defendants in this complex case received varying sentences earlier. Dayton Peterson, 24, was sentenced to 30 years in prison; Joshua Lohden, 26, to 22 years; David Langdon, 39, to almost 12 years; J. Louis Nance, 34, to six years; and Samantha Trummer, 30, to probation. Convictions ranged from drug trafficking and impersonation to firearm offenses.
Key agencies involved included the FBI, Louisville Metro Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, and Bullitt County Sheriff's Office, with additional support from the ATF, IRS, DEA, and Kentucky State Police. The U.S. Attorney's Office was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alicia P. Gomez and Frank E. Dahl III.
This investigation was part of Operation Take Back America, a campaign aimed to combat transnational criminal organizations and bolster community safety.
There is no parole in the federal penal system.