Lexington man sentenced to 10 years for Armed Methamphetamine Trafficking

LEXINGTON, KY — John M. Hoskins III, a 33-year-old Lexington resident, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison on Wednesday for multiple counts of distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and one count of carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

Hoskins was charged with multiple counts of distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and one count of carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. According to the plea agreement, Hoskins pleaded guilty to four counts of the indictment. The United States moved to dismiss the other three counts at sentencing.

Between May and July 2022, local law enforcement and ATF conducted multiple controlled drug transactions with Hoskins through a confidential informant. During these transactions, Hoskins sold varying amounts of methamphetamine, totaling nearly 500 grams. The transactions took place in Fayette County in the Eastern District of Kentucky. On May 25, 2022, Hoskins also sold a Chinese SKS rifle along with methamphetamine to the informant.

Hoskins must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence and will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for five years upon his release.

This case was prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program, a nationwide crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. The program involves a comprehensive approach to public safety, including investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts.

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