FRANKFORT, KY – A Paris, Ky., man, Jalen Jones, 26, was sentenced on Thursday to 97 months in federal prison, by U.S. District Judge Gregory VanTatenhove, for distribution of fentanyl, carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to Jones’ plea agreement, on November 28, 2021, Jones was found in possession of 12.5 grams of fentanyl, following a traffic stop. He was arrested but later released on bond conditions. Following that release, law enforcement conduct three controlled purchases of fentanyl and firearms from Jones. Jones admitted that he was prohibited from owning firearms, as he had been previously convicted of felony offenses.
Jones pleaded guilty to the current charges in October 2022. Jones previously had been convicted of two counts of trafficking a controlled substance in April 2015, and wanton endangerment in April 2015.
Under federal law, Jones must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. He will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for six years after his release from prison.
Carlton S. Shier IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Louisville Field Division; and Chief Myron Thomas, Paris Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by ATF, the Paris Police Department, and the Bluegrass Narcotics Task Force. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francisco Villalobos.
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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