A man from Cincinnati, Devante Garrett, was found guilty of drug trafficking by a federal jury in Covington, Kentucky. The decision followed a four-day trial and came after one hour and twenty minutes of deliberation. The 30-year-old was convicted on charges including conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possession of 100 grams or more of a fentanyl analogue with intent to distribute, and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.
During the trial, evidence indicated Garrett was part of a plan to distribute over 275 grams of a fentanyl analogue, more than 40 grams of fentanyl, and cocaine. His arrest in Kenton County on October 14, 2023, revealed these drugs hidden inside the driver's door panel of his vehicle. Additionally, Garrett was arrested earlier in Boone County on August 17, 2023, with $6,440 in cash and a scale carrying fentanyl and cocaine residue. Witnesses testified that Garrett consistently traveled to Lexington, Kentucky, to distribute fentanyl and cocaine from May to August 2023.
The conviction was jointly announced by Paul McCaffrey, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Jim Scott, DEA Louisville Field Division Special Agent in Charge, Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police, Chief Brian Valenti of the Covington Police Department, Chief Bill Birkenhauer of the Highland Heights Police Department, and Boone County Sheriff Michael Helmig.
Officials from the DEA, Kentucky State Police, Covington Police Department, Highland Heights Police Department, and Boone County Sheriff’s Office spearheaded the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Spievack and Tony Bracke represented the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Garrett's sentencing is scheduled for August 21, where he faces a minimum of ten years and possibly life imprisonment. The Court is required to follow U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and federal sentencing laws when determining his sentence.