A Louisville man has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison for his role in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy. Joseph Cook, 46, received the sentence on August 28, 2025, after being convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
U.S. Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner of the Western District of Kentucky announced the sentencing along with Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott of the DEA Louisville Field Division, Special Agent in Charge John Nokes of the ATF Louisville Field Division, and Chief Paul Humphrey of the Louisville Metro Police Department.
According to court documents, between August 20 and August 22, 2024, Cook conspired with others to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. On August 20, Cook supplied 111.35 grams of methamphetamine to codefendant John Jecker and also possessed that amount with intent to distribute. Two days later, he was found in possession of an additional 799 grams stored in a safe at his apartment. The total amount involved was over 910 grams. Testing by a DEA laboratory confirmed the substance as methamphetamine.
Cook will also serve six years of supervised release following his prison term. There is no parole available in the federal system.
The case was investigated by the ATF with support from the DEA Louisville Field Division and the Louisville Metro Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erwin Roberts prosecuted.
“This conviction is a part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN),” according to officials.
