Lexington Man Sentenced to 262 Months for Armed Drug Trafficking
The Defendant Qualified as an Armed Career Criminal
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Gregory Thomopolous, 39, of Lexington, was sentenced today to 262 months in federal prison, by United States District Judge Joseph M. Hood, for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
In May 2018, officers with the Lexington Police Department, arrested Thomopolous for an outstanding warrant. During a search of his vehicle officers located approximately 75 grams of methamphetamine, a quantity of fentanyl, and a .357 revolver. Thomopolous admitted to distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl. Thomopolous also admitted that he possessed the firearm for protection during drug deals. At the time of his arrest, Thomopolous was on parole for other charges. Thomopolous has seven prior felony convictions, including drug trafficking. Based on his criminal history, Thomopolous was found to be an Armed Career Criminal.
Under federal law, Thompolous 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 5 years.
Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Stuart Lowrey, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Louisville Field Division; and Lawrence Weathers, Chief of the Lexington Police Department, jointly made the announcement.
The ATF and the Lexington Police Department conducted the investigation. The United States was represented by Assistant United States Attorney Cynthia T. Rieker.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The PSN program was reinvigorated as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
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