Plea entered in drug task force find
ASHLAND An Ashland man is facing a substantial prison sentence after pleading guilty to federal drug trafficking charges stemming from a Northeast Kentucky Drug Task Force investigation earlier this year.
Phillip M. Conley, 28, was indicted by a federal grand jury back in August on charges of possession with intent to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
A plea agreement between Conley and U.S. prosecutors was entered on Tuesday, providing additional details into a traffic stop that led to the sizable seizure of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid the DEA classifies as 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin.
Per court records, agents with NEKDTF and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) were tipped off, launching surveillance of Conley and a residence in the 300 block of Ringo Street.
Agents followed and conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle occupied by Conley and another individual in April.
During the stop, the officer noted an odor of marijuana in the vehicle and, per court records, Conley admitted to smoking marijuana and advised there was more marijuana inside the residence of interest on Ringo St.
Per the plea agreement, the agencies obtained a search warrant, leading to the discovery of nearly 90 grams of fentanyl, more than a half pound of marijuana and two firearms — including a 9 mm and a "multi-caliber Legion defense pistol."
The possession of the firearms resulted in two of the three federal charges, alleging the firearms were for the purpose of furthering drug trafficking crimes and Conley was in illegal possession of them as a previously convicted felon.
Per U.S. prosecutors, Conley was previously convicted in Boyd County of first-degree trafficking of a controlled substance in 2017.
Based on the agreement, Conley's previous conviction of a "serious drug" offense subjects him to enhanced statutory punishment.
The plea agreement states Conley's conviction of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl carries a minimum of 10 years in prison, with the maximum falling short of a life sentence.
Possession with intent to distribute the fentanyl also carries a maximum fine of $8 million.
The statutory punishment for possessing the firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes is a minimum of five years imprisonment, to be served consecutive to any other sentence.
Lastly, possession of firearms as a convicted felon carries a punishment of not more than 15 years in prison.
Conley's final sentencing is set for Feb. 25 before U.S. District Judge David L. Bunning.
