A man from Hopkinsville, Kentucky, Robert Blaine, has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for his involvement in a methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficking conspiracy and money laundering. This decision follows a conviction on all counts after a three-day jury trial earlier this year.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, along with several law enforcement officials including Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott of the DEA Louisville Field Division and Chief Jason Newby of the Hopkinsville Police Department.
According to court documents, Blaine, aged 46, will also face 10 years of supervised release following his prison term. The charges include one count of conspiring to distribute controlled substances and seven counts of money laundering.
Evidence presented at trial showed that between May 2020 and January 2022, Blaine conspired with Roderick Tutt and Jessica Ochoa to distribute significant quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl. During this period, Blaine sent money to Ochoa as payment for drugs and mailed $36,960 obtained from illegal drug sales. Tutt was arrested while transporting drugs back to Hopkinsville.
Blaine has a history of drug trafficking convictions dating back to 2008. His accomplices, Tutt and Ochoa, previously pled guilty and received sentences earlier this year.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the DEA Paducah Post of Duty and the United States Postal Inspection Service Bowling Green Office. Assistant United States Attorney Leigh Ann Dycus prosecuted the case with paralegal Cristy Crockett's assistance.
This sentencing is part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration and dismantling criminal organizations.