LEXINGTON, Ky. — Lamar Thornton, aka “Juice”, 26, of Detroit, was sentenced today, to 292 months in federal prison, by United States District Judge Karen K. Caldwell, for conspiracy to distribute heroin and carfentanyl.

In February 2019, a jury found Thornton guilty of participating in the conspiracy. The evidence at trial established that from July 2016 to January 2017, Thornton was a source of supply of heroin and carfentanyl and the Court ultimately found that, during the conspiracy, Thornton was responsible for 1.872 kilograms of heroin and 315 grams of carfentanyl. Thornton, who resided in Detroit, arranged for the heroin and carfentanyl to be distributed in Central Kentucky. The scope of this drug trafficking included an overdose in Central Kentucky. Thornton’s co-defendants, Jerrod Doolin, Jeffrey Ruggiero, Darmon Shaw, and Thomas Lehmann were previously sentenced for their participation in the conspiracy. Thornton has a prior conviction for trafficking in heroin and had absconded from parole.

“A critical component of our drug enforcement effort is the prosecution of out-of-state sources of supply and drug dealers who cause overdoses,” said Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “We remain committed to prosecuting these important cases. The defendant’s distribution of heroin and carfentanyl endangered many lives and contributed to addiction in Central Kentucky, for the sake of profits. His callous conduct certainly warrants the lengthy sentence he received.”

Under federal law, Thornton must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence; and upon his release, he will be under the supervision of the United States Probation Office for eight years.

United States Attorney Duncan and Christopher Evans, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA, jointly made the announcement.

The investigation was conducted by the DEA. The United States was represented by Assistant United States Attorneys Cynthia T. Rieker and Todd Bradbury.