LEXINGTON, KY – The U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Kentucky reports that a Lexington man, Malachi Evans, 22, was sentenced on Friday, by Chief U.S. District Judge Danny C. Reeves, to 180 months in prison, following his convictions for two counts of distribution of 10 grams or more of a fentanyl analogue, two counts of distribution of five grams or more of methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of a substance containing fentanyl analogue, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
According to his plea agreement, in the fall of 2021, law enforcement received information that Evans was selling large quantities of heroin and fentanyl. On three occasions in October 2021, law enforcement arranged controlled purchases with a confidential source, to purchase methamphetamine and heroin/fentanyl from Evans. During these three transactions, Evans provided a total of 141 grams of a fentanyl analogue and approximately two ounces of methamphetamine. During a planned fourth transaction, Evans was arrested by law enforcement. A search of Evans’s vehicle then uncovered marijuana, $2,400 in cash, 125.3 grams of heroin/fentanyl, 26.65 grams of methamphetamine, and a handgun.
Evans admitted to possessing the drugs with the intent to distribute them and that he possessed the firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities.
Under federal law, Evans must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 10 years.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Erek Davodowich, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Louisville Field Division; Commander Kalan Perdue, Gateway High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force; Chief James Hall, Winchester Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the DEA, Gateway AHITDA Task Force, and Winchester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Rieker prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
— END —
