Published: November 19, 2009 12:16 pm      

Woodbine man sentenced in London for drugs, firearms

A Woodbine man was sentenced Friday in U.S. District Court in London to 180 months in prison for a drug conspiracy and possessing firearms.

Ronnie Smith, 48, was sentenced for conspiring to distribute marijuana and hydrocodone. He was also sentenced for possession with intent to distribute oxycodone, being a felon in possession of firearms and possessing firearms to further his drug trafficking crimes.

In May 2007, law enforcement searched Smith’s home and discovered two bundles of marijuana, 81 hydrocodone pills, firearms and $13,465 in cash, which represented a portion or all of the money obtained through his drug trafficking activity.

Smith admitted that he sold marijuana starting in the early part of 2006 to May 2007, and that he possessed a total of 12 firearms which provided him protection throughout the duration of his drug trafficking operation.

In April 2008, law enforcement seized a package from a common carrier that was addressed to Smith and contained 80-mg. oxycontin.

Smith will have to serve at least 85 percent of his prison sentenced and will be under the supervision of the United States Probation Office for 15 years following his release.

The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the United States was represented by Assistant United States Attorney Greg Ousley.

In other U.S. District Court action announced Friday:

• Casey M. Redmond, 26, of Somerset, pleaded guilty Thursday to possession of pseudoephedrine and possession of methamphetamine.

Redmond admitted that from June 2007 through July 2008, he purchased large quantities of pseudoephedrine tablets in Pulaski County to use for the manufature of methamphetamine. Redmond also admitted that he was in possession of methamphetamine on Dec. 10, 2007. He was indicted in June 2009.

Redmond will be sentenced March 11 by District Court Judge Gregory F. VanTatenhove. He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years.

• Jimmie Darrel Gay, 62, of Hazard, pleaded guilty Thursday to receipt of child pornography.

Gay amitted that from Ooctober 2008 through January 2009, he received child pornography through e-mails and the Internet to his home in Perry County. He was indicted in June 2009.

Gay is scheduled to be sentenced by VanTatenhove March 4. He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years.