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LEXINGTON, KY - A Lexington man, Raymond Cong Duong, 35, was sentenced on Friday, before U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell, to 180 months in federal prison, for possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
According to his plea agreement, Lexington Police executed a search warrant at Duong’s residence, on January 22, 2019, seizing 138 grams of fentanyl, 28 grams of methamphetamine, several small baggies of heroin, eight firearms, cash, and drug trafficking paraphernalia. Duong admitted that the illegal narcotics were his and that he sold them to others. He further admitted that he possessed a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking.
Duong has two prior felony convictions for drug trafficking, one from Jefferson County in 2011 and one from Fayette County in 2012.
Duong pleaded guilty in January 2020.
Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; J. Todd Scott, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Louisville Field Division; Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Louisville Field Division; Commissioner Rodney Brewer, Kentucky State Police; and Chief Lawrence Weathers, Lexington Police Department; jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the DEA, ATF, KSP, and Lexington Police Department. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Kiebler.
This is case was prosecuted as part of three Department of Justice initiatives: “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 Duncan coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
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.
Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (SOS), a partnership with DEA, the Lexington Police Department, the Fayette Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, and the United States Attorney’s Office to prosecute readily provable fentanyl and fentanyl analogue distribution cases in Fayette County, with the goal of helping reduce overdose deaths caused these deadly drugs.
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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