LEXINGTON, KY - A Beattyville, Kentucky man, Michael B. Hensley, 58, was sentenced on Monday to 248 months in federal prison, by Chief U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves, for possession with intention to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
According to his plea agreement, Hensley admitted that on February 25, 2019, law enforcement officials approached him, based on an outstanding warrant for theft of a firearm, at a convenience store in Richmond, Kentucky. When searching his vehicle, officers located more than 1.9 kilograms of pure methamphetamine and a loaded firearm. Hensley admitted that he possessed the firearm in furtherance of his drug crime.
Hensley pleaded guilty in November 2019.
Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; J. Todd Scott, Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville Field Division; and Sheriff Mike Coyle, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, jointly made the announcement.
The investigation was directed by the DEA and Madison County Sheriff’s Office. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Todd Bradbury.
This is another case prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide, crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety — one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts. In the Eastern District of Kentucky, U.S. Attorney Robert Duncan Jr., coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. Click here for more information about Project Guardian.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
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