A Martin, Kentucky man has been sentenced to 192 months in federal prison for drug trafficking and firearms offenses. Justin Bryant, 35, received the sentence from Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, as well as possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
According to court documents, law enforcement stopped Bryant on December 11, 2023. During the stop, officers found him with 22.76 grams of methamphetamine, 3.57 grams of fentanyl and fluorofentanyl, and a loaded handgun. Bryant admitted he carried the firearm for protection due to his involvement in drug dealing. Because of previous felony convictions, he was prohibited from having a firearm. He was arrested at that time but later released.
Despite his release, authorities reported that Bryant continued selling drugs. On March 1, 2025, he was again stopped by law enforcement and found in possession of 81.256 grams of methamphetamine.
Under federal regulations, Bryant will be required to serve at least 85 percent of his prison term before becoming eligible for release. After completing his sentence, he will remain under supervision by the U.S. Probation Office for three years.
The sentencing was announced by Paul McCaffrey, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge for the FBI’s Louisville Field Division; Col. Phillip J. Burnett Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police; and Sheriff John Hunt from the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office.
The case was investigated by the FBI, Kentucky State Police (KSP), and Floyd County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew Trimble prosecuted the case.
