LEXINGTON, KY. — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Kentucky, Eastern), published as received.
LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Lexington, Ky., man, Martaveus Lee Bell Jr., 32, was sentenced on Friday to 240 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell for two counts of distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; one count of trafficking in firearms; one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Between February and March of 2025, law enforcement conducted a series of controlled drug and firearm transactions with Bell in Lexington, Kentucky. During this period, a confidential informant purchased multiple quantities of high‑purity methamphetamine from Bell, totaling more than 480 grams of methamphetamine. The informant also purchased two firearms from Bell after Bell agreed to supply weapons despite knowing the informant was a convicted felon. The investigation culminated in the execution of a federal search warrant in June at a residence occupied by Bell. During the search, law enforcement seized more than 1.5 kilograms of high‑purity methamphetamine, over 83 grams of fentanyl, two loaded stolen firearms, ammunition, and more than $20,000 in cash. Per his plea agreement, Bell admitted to possessing the seized narcotics with the intent to distribute them. He further admitted to possessing the recovered firearms to further his drug trafficking activities and despite knowing that he was prohibited as a convicted felon from possessing them.
Jason Parman, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; John Nokes, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division; and Chief Travis Thompson, Winchester Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the ATF and Winchester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paco Villalobos prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
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