Knott County Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine Trafficking

PIKEVILLE, Ky. - A Vest, Ky., man, Lee Rose, 37, was sentenced on Wednesday, by Chief U.S. District Judge Danny C. Reeves, to 216 months, for distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

According to his plea agreement, between at least September 2023 and January 2024, Rose was selling methamphetamine in Knott County. Specifically, on September 27, 2023, law enforcement made a controlled purchase of over 50 grams of methamphetamine from Rose. At the time he sold this methamphetamine, Rose was on parole, for three separate prior convictions for felony trafficking in methamphetamine. Law enforcement then engaged in additional transactions where Rose provided methamphetamine, on October 4, 2023 (for 52 grams), on October 9, 2023 (for 13 grams), and January 9, 2024 (for 56 grams).

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

Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Michael Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police; and Dale Richardson, Knott County Sheriff, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI, KSP, and Knott County Sheriff's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew Trimble prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

- END -