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Department of Justice United States Attorney David L. Huber Contact: Sandy Focken |
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June 9, 2008
LOUISVILLE MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL NARCOTICS AND FIREARMS VIOLATIONS
– Convicted felon admits possessing a handgun and dealing crack cocaine
LOUISVILLE, KY - Ronnie L. Robinson, age 33, of Louisville, Kentucky, in Jefferson County, on charges of possession of crack cocaine with the intent to distribute, being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and carrying a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, U.S. Attorney David L. Huber of the Western District of Kentucky, and Paul Vido, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Louisville Field Division, jointly announced today.
While conducting a routine traffic on May 25, 2007 on Robinson for driving without his license plate illuminated, the LMPD officer approached the vehicle and immediately smelled the odor of marijuana. The officer asked for Robinson's license and proof of insurance and quickly learned that his license was suspended and his insurance policy had been cancelled. After a search of the vehicle, the officer found a Kel-Tec .40 caliber handgun under the driver's seat. Once Robinson was arrested, a further search of the vehicle revealed over 5 grams of crack cocain, worth approximately $4,000, in the car.
Robinson admitted that on May 25, 2007, he possessed a loaded .40 caliber Kel-Tec handgun along with over 5 grams of crack cocaine which he intended to sell. Robinson had previously been convicted of illegal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Receiving Stolen Property over $300, Facilitation to Criminal Syndicate, and Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument, all felonies. The total street value of the drugs was approximately $4,000.00.
The maximum potential penalties are life imprisonment, a $4,000,000 fine, and supervised release for a period of 8 years. The minimum penalty is 10 years imprisonment and supervised release for a period of 4 years.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert B. Bonar. The Louisville Field Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation in partnership with Louisville Metro Police Department, as part of ATF’s mandated mission to reduce violent crime and other threats to public safety.
This is a Project Backfire prosecution. Project Backfire is a cooperative effort by the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office, the Jefferson County Commonwealth’s Attorneys Office, the Louisville Metro Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the United States Attorney’s Office to ensure that firearm offenses are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the state and federal law.
The plea was entered before Joseph McKinnley, Judge, United States District Court, Louisville, Kentucky.
Judge McKinnley has ordered a presentence investigation. Sentencing should be scheduled in approximately eight to ten weeks.
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