An Ashland man, Phillip Conley, 28, received a 180-month prison sentence for fentanyl trafficking and firearm offenses. Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning issued the sentence on Monday. The charges included possession with intent to distribute over 40 grams of fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The investigation into Conley's activities began in February 2024 by the Northeast Kentucky Drug Task Force (NKYDTF). A search warrant executed on April 4, 2024, led to the discovery of 57.6 grams of fentanyl, two firearms, and ammunition at his residence.
Conley admitted to intending to distribute the fentanyl and acknowledged possessing firearms related to his drug trafficking activities. He also confirmed awareness that his status as a convicted felon prohibited him from having firearms. His prior conviction was for first-degree controlled substance trafficking in Boyd Circuit Court in May 2017.
Under federal law, Conley is required to serve at least 85 percent of his sentence. Post-release, he will be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for eight years.
Paul McCaffrey, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, along with John Nokes, Special Agent in Charge at ATF's Louisville Field Division, announced the sentencing. The case was investigated by ATF and NKYDTF and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Rieker.
This prosecution falls under the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), aimed at reducing violent crime through comprehensive public safety strategies involving investigation and prevention efforts coordinated across federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in the Eastern District of Kentucky.