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Press Release

Burlington Man Sentenced To 128 Months For Drug And Weapons Offenses

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Kentucky

COVINGTON, KY - A Burlington man was sentenced to 128 months in federal prison today for manufacturing methamphetamine and possession of a short-barreled shotgun in furtherance of drug trafficking.

U.S. District Judge Amul Thapar sentenced 38 year-old Joseph Wagner to 128 months in prison and placed him on supervised release for 15 years after he completes his prison term. He also ordered the forfeiture of the shotgun and ammunition used in the offense.

Wagner previously pled guilty on June 30, 2014 and admitted to manufacturing methamphetamine and possessing a sawed-off shotgun to assist in his drug trafficking at a residence in Independence, Kentucky. A construction worker engaged to assist in rehabilitating the residence that Wagner was using to manufacture methamphetamine had an altercation with Wagner on December 17, 2013 and contacted police. Responding officers observed Wagner in possession of the sawed-off shotgun and surrounded the residence. Wagner held them at bay for over three hours before surrendering to police. Officers located the sawed-off shotgun and items confirming the manufacture of methamphetamine. Investigators located a witness who confirmed that Wagner had been manufacturing and distributing methamphetamine.

Under federal law, Wagner must serve at least 85 percent of his prison sentence. He will be on supervised release for fifteen years after completion of his prison term.

Kerry B. Harvey, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Stuart L. Lowrey, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (Louisville Field Division), jointly made the announcement today after the sentencing.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the Independence Police Department and the Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force. The U.S. Attorney’s Office was represented in the case by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Bracke.

Updated November 25, 2015