A Junction City, Ky., man, Darion Ford, 26, was sentenced on Thursday to 10 years by U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell for possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. 

In December 2024, law enforcement began investigating that Ford had recently re-upped a large supply of narcotics from Lexington. On December 18, 2024, Ford was observed leaving his residence and was stopped by law enforcement. When law enforcement talked with Ford, he stated that he had a gun and placed it on his console. He also had three bags containing powder and tablet forms of fentanyl.

Ford told law enforcement that he had approximately 1,000 fentanyl pills and seven grams of fentanyl powder at his residence. Law enforcement seized approximately 85.146 grams of fentanyl that Ford intended to distribute. Ford also possessed the firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities.   

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Jim Scott, Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville Field Division; and Chief Tony Gray, Danville Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the DEA and Danville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Chapman and Amanda Morgan prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. 

Secretary of State Michael Adams announced that, in July, 8,598 new Kentucky voters registered, with Kentuckians outside the two major political parties once again showing their interest in November’s election.

“In July, more Independents registered to vote in Kentucky than Republicans and Democrats combined,” Adams said. “Neither party can prevail in a statewide race with only its base; both must reach out to the center.”

In July, net registration rose by 4,981, with 3,617 voters removed: 2,650 who were deceased, 401 felony convicts, 275 duplicate registrations, 213 who moved out of state, 60 adjudged mentally incompetent, 12 who voluntarily de-registered and 6 identified as noncitizens.

Republican registration constitutes 48 percent of the electorate, with 1,622,656 voters. Republican registration grew by 2,483 voters, a .15 percent increase. Democratic registration accounts for 41 percent of the electorate, with 1,370,754 voters. Democratic registration fell by 32 voters, a .002 percent decrease. There are 383,889 voters registered under other political affiliations (mostly Independent), making up 11 percent of the electorate. “Other” registration grew by 2,530 voters, a .66 percent increase.