Lexington Man Sentenced for Illegal Possession of Firearm and Fentanyl Trafficking Charges

FRANKFORT, Ky. - A Lexington man, David Hager, 27, was sentenced on Wednesday, by U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove, to 120 months, for two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, one count of possession of a machine gun, and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

In May 2023, agents with ATF, received information that David Hager was distributing fentanyl and firearms. During the investigation, ATF purchased 15 firearms and a machine gun conversion device from Hager. ATF also purchase approximately 10 grams of fentanyl from Hager. After these purchases, a search warrant was executed at Hager's residence, where agents located three additional firearms (one of which was stolen), multiple high-capacity magazines, suspected explosive devices, and approximately 37 grams of fentanyl. Hager had previously been convicted of a felony and was prohibited from possessing a firearm.

Under federal law, Hager must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon Hager's release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for three years.

Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division; and Chief Lawrence Weathers, Lexington Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by ATF, with assistance from the Lexington Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Rieker prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

This case was prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice's "Project Safe Neighborhoods" Program (PSN), which is a nationwide, crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety - one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts. In the Eastern District of Kentucky, U.S. Attorney Shier coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.

- END -