LONDON, KY – The U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Kentucky is reporting that a Harrodsburg, Ky., man was convicted late Thursday, by a federal jury sitting in London, of possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking offense.
The federal jury convicted Aristotle White of these charges, following a two-day trial.
According to evidence at trial, on May 11, 2022, officers with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that was being driven by White. During the search of the vehicle, law enforcement located nearly 300 grams of methamphetamine, two loaded firearms, and over $2,500 in United States currency. Witness testimony revealed White to be regularly obtaining large quantities of methamphetamine and importing it into, among other places, Johnson County.
White was indicted on September 22, 2022. Members of the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department, the Magoffin County Sheriff’s Department, Operation UNITE, and the DEA participated in the investigation and prosecution.
White will appear for sentencing on April 8, 2024, and he faces not less than 10 years up to life in prison. However, the Court must consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the applicable federal sentencing statutes before imposing a sentence.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; J. Todd Scott, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Louisville Field Division; Sheriff Scott Hazelette of the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department, and Sheriff William Meade of the Magoffin County Sheriff’s Department made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew H. Trimble prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
This case was 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 Shier coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
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