A Lexington resident, Laurance Newby, was sentenced on April 9 to 180 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address the dangers posed by large-scale fentanyl distribution and armed drug trafficking. According to court documents, between December 2024 and June 2025, authorities used a confidential informant who purchased fentanyl from Newby on three occasions. On June 25, 2025, after a trained drug-detection dog alerted officers to Newby’s car, he fled on foot but was soon arrested.
A search of the vehicle led police to recover a loaded Glock 26 firearm and nearly one kilogram of cocaine in a backpack, as well as over 400 grams of fentanyl found in the trunk. Newby admitted that he intended to distribute these drugs and that he possessed the firearm as part of his trafficking activities.
Under federal law, Newby must serve at least 85 percent of his sentence before being eligible for release. Upon completion of his prison term, he will be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for five years.
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), with Assistant U.S. Attorney Ron Walker prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States. Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Jim Scott, Special Agent in Charge at DEA Louisville Field Division announced the sentencing.
This prosecution is part of an initiative under Executive Order 14159 aimed at combating criminal cartels and transnational organizations through interagency collaboration involving multiple federal agencies.
