Jimmy Barrett, a 47-year-old man from London, Kentucky, was sentenced on April 2 to 220 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Robert Wier.
Barrett’s case is significant due to the large quantity of methamphetamine involved and the high-speed chase that preceded his arrest. According to court documents, Barrett obtained approximately six pounds of methamphetamine from a supplier in the Louisville area on September 13, 2024. When law enforcement attempted a traffic stop as he returned to London, Barrett refused and led officers on a high-speed pursuit through Laurel County before crashing his vehicle.
A search following the crash uncovered the drugs in Barrett’s vehicle. He admitted that he intended to distribute the methamphetamine to other mid- and lower-level traffickers in both London and Corbin areas.
Under federal sentencing guidelines, Barrett must serve at least 85 percent of his sentence before becoming eligible for release. After completing his prison term, he will be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for ten years.
The sentencing was announced jointly by Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; John Nokes, Special Agent in Charge at ATF’s Louisville Field Division; and Phillip J. Burnett Jr., Commissioner of Kentucky State Police. The investigation was conducted by agents from ATF and Kentucky State Police (KSP), with Assistant U.S. Attorney Sam Dotson prosecuting.
