Harrodsburg Man Convicted of Armed Methamphetamine Trafficking in Johnson County

LONDON, Ky. – A Harrodsburg, Ky., man, Aristotle White, was sentenced on Monday, by U.S. District Judge Robert Wier, to 181 months in prison, for possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking offense.

White was convicted of the charges after a two-day trial in November 2023.  According to evidence presented at trial, on May 11, 2022, officers with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that was being driven by White.  During the search of the vehicle, law enforcement located nearly 300 grams of methamphetamine, two loaded firearms, and over $2,500 in United States currency.  Witness testimony revealed White to be regularly obtaining large quantities of methamphetamine and importing it into, among other places, Johnson County.

Under federal law, White 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 four years.

Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Erek Davodowich, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Louisville Field Division; Sheriff Scott Hazelette, Johnson County Sheriff’s Department; and Sheriff William Meade, Magoffin County Sheriff’s Department, jointly announce the sentencing.

The investigation was conducted by the DEA, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, Magoffin County Sheriff’s Office, and Operation UNITE.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew Trimble 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, U.S. Attorney Shier coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.

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