A Lexington resident, Drequahn Smith, aged 19, has been sentenced to over ten years in prison for fentanyl trafficking and firearm possession related to drug activities. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Gregory VanTatenhove.
The incident leading to Smith's arrest occurred on June 24, 2024. Law enforcement officers from the FBI and the Lexington Police Department were conducting surveillance on a suspect with an outstanding arrest warrant when they encountered Smith. He fled upon their approach but was apprehended after attempting to discard a handgun. A search of his belongings and associated residence revealed 413 grams of pressed fentanyl pills.
Smith admitted his intent to distribute the fentanyl and acknowledged possessing the firearm for drug trafficking purposes as part of his plea agreement.
According to federal regulations, Smith will serve at least 85 percent of his sentence before being eligible for release. Post-release, he will be under supervision by the U.S. Probation Office for five years.
Paul McCaffrey, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Olivia Olson, Acting Special Agent in Charge at the FBI Louisville Field Office; and Chief Lawrence Weathers from the Lexington Police Department announced the sentencing collectively.
The investigation was conducted by both FBI agents and officers from the Lexington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Rieker is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice focused on reducing violent crime through comprehensive strategies that include investigation, prosecution, prevention, and reentry efforts coordinated by Acting U.S. Attorney McCaffrey in collaboration with various law enforcement agencies in Kentucky's Eastern District.