Donald Demil Clay, a 50-year-old resident of Frankfort, was convicted on April 24 by a federal jury in Frankfort for possession with intent to distribute cocaine. The conviction followed a two-day trial.
The case highlights ongoing efforts to address drug-related offenses in the region. According to testimony presented at trial, law enforcement began investigating Clay after receiving multiple tips that he was renting commercial property in Frankfort for storing and distributing cocaine. After several months of surveillance, officers executed a search warrant at the property and found about four ounces of cocaine hidden inside a box attached to a custom poker table.
Clay has a previous conviction for possession with intent to distribute cocaine from July 2014 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky. Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Colin Jackson, Acting Special Agent in Charge at Homeland Security Investigations; Jim Scott, Special Agent in Charge at the Drug Enforcement Administration Louisville Field Division; and Chief Derrick Napier of the Frankfort Police Department jointly announced Clay’s conviction.
The investigation involved Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Frankfort Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Bradbury represented the U.S. Attorney’s Office during trial proceedings.
Clay is scheduled for sentencing on July 9 and faces up to 30 years in prison. The court will consider both federal sentencing statutes and guidelines before issuing its decision.
The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky enforces federal laws and prosecutes criminal cases according to its official website. The office also addresses issues such as drug abuse prevention through community initiatives according to its official website, works with agencies on programs like Heroin Education Action Team according to its official website, and serves civil cases as well as criminal matters according to its official website. Established under the Judiciary Act of 1789, several early U.S. Attorneys from this district have held prominent positions including seats on the Supreme Court or serving as governor according to its official website.
