U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Kentucky
ASHLAND, KY (Tuesday, July 8, 2025) – A Webbville, Ky., man, Kenneth Ison, Jr., 55, was sentenced on Monday by Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning to 120 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to his plea agreement, in September 2024, the Kentucky State Police, assisted by the Grayson Police Department, obtained a search warrant for Kenneth Ison’s residence in Lawrence County and a vehicle used by Ison. During the search, officers located approximately 168 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 33 grams of suspected fentanyl, and marijuana; subsequent lab testing confirmed the presence of at least 76 grams of actual methamphetamine and 26 grams of actual fentanyl. In addition to the narcotics, officers seized 17 firearms, one of which was stolen. At the time of his arrest, Ison was on parole for a prior felony conviction of trafficking in a controlled substance from the Carter Circuit Court; as a felon, Ison was prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Ison admitted that he possessed the narcotics with intent to distribute them, and that he possessed the firearms in furtherance of his drug trafficking.
Under federal law, Ison 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 5 years.
Paul McCaffrey, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; John Nokes, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division; Col. Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police; and Chief Tony Cantrell, Grayson Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the ATF, KSP, and Grayson Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Rieker is prosecuting 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, Acting U.S. Attorney McCaffrey coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
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