Jessamine County Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Trafficking and Firearms Possession

FRANKFORT, Ky. - A Nicholasville, Ky., man, Billy Wilkins, 44, was sentenced on Wednesday, to 360 months in prison, by U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove, following his convictions for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possession of a firearm by convicted felon.

According to evidence presented at his trial, on November 4, 2021, in Nicholasville, law enforcement with the DEA and Jessamine County Sheriff's Department executed a search warrant on a residence occupied by Wilkins. Inside the residence, officers located large quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine, as well as two firearms and multiple rounds of ammunition. A third firearm was later recovered under the residence's crawl space. During the investigation, officers also confirmed that Wilkins was a convicted felon, with multiple prior Kentucky drug trafficking convictions.

Under federal law, Wilkins 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; Jim Scott, Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville Field Division; and Sheriff Kevin Grimes, Jessamine County Sheriff's Office, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the DEA and Jessamine County Sheriff's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paco Villalobos is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

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