Matthew Shaffer Sentenced to 35 Years for Conspiring to Distribute Methamphetamine and Firearm Offenses

COVINGTON, Ky. — Matthew Wesley Shaffer, 39, of Walton, Ky., was sentenced today, to 35 years in prison, by United States District Court Judge David Bunning. In August of 2017, Shaffer was convicted by a jury of two counts of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute it, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

At his trial, Shaffer was identified as the president of the Florence, Kentucky, chapter of the Iron Horsemen motorcycle club and as a national enforcer for that organization. He has multiple prior felony convictions. The evidence at trial further established that Shaffer directed a group that was transporting large amounts of crystal methamphetamine from California to Northern Kentucky and distributing it, during 2015 and 2016. The evidence also established that, on August 25, 2016, Shaffer possessed more than 180 grams of crystal methamphetamine in his Walton, Kentucky residence, along with two loaded firearms, body armor, and $8,920.00 in currency. Additionally, the evidence established that Shaffer led a group of individuals who smuggled approximately ten grams of crystal methamphetamine into the Boone County Detention Center for distribution, in October 2016. The jury convicted him after five days of trial.

“This investigation and prosecution highlights the importance of a strong partnership between local, state, and federal law enforcement in reducing violent crime and drug trafficking activities,” said Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “Our communities are made safer through the cooperative efforts of law enforcement, and I commend the officers and agents for their hard work and dedication on this case and others like it.”

Under federal law, Shaffer 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 ten years.

United States Attorney Duncan; Timothy J. Plancon, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration; and Stuart Lowrey, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the DEA, the ATF, and the Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force. The United States was represented by Assistant United States Attorney Tony Bracke.