United States of America v. Sam Connor, Jr.

Lexington, KY criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with Armed Fentanyl Trafficking and Illegal Firearm Possession

Lexington Man Sentenced for Armed Fentanyl Trafficking and Illegal Firearm Possession

A Lexington man, Sam Connor, Jr., 30, was sentenced m by U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove to 180 months, for possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.



According to his plea agreement, on April 27, 2023, law enforcement officers received information that Connor was a possible supplier of fentanyl in Fayette County and had arranged a sale of 500 pills containing fentanyl. Upon contacting Connor, law enforcement found a stolen firearm on his person, and Connor admitted to possessing drugs as well. Officers then found a plastic bag on Connor's person containing pressed fentanyl pills, and located an unloaded firearm and digital scales in his vehicle.



Connor admitted to being in possession of the firearm and knew that he had been convicted of a felony, robbery second degree in Fayette Circuit Court in 2015, and was prohibited from possessing the firearm.



Under federal law, Connor 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 eight years.



Paul McCaffrey, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; AJ Gibes, Acting Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division; and Chief Lawrence Weathers, Lexington Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.



The investigation was conducted by ATF and Lexington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Rieker is prosecuting 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, Acting U.S. Attorney McCaffrey coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.