CITIZEN STAFF REPORT

LONDON, Ky. — A Johnson County man will spend the next 120 months in federal prison for an array of meth-related offenses. U.S. District Judge Robert Wier sentenced Gary Warick, 58, of Hagerhill, Kentucky, on Nov. 13 in London.

The sentencing follows Warrick’s conviction of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

Warick was not dabbling. The backstory unfolds like a crime procedural: Law enforcement in Johnson County staged two controlled buys from Warick on April 26 and May 3, 2022. Days later, on May 4, 2022, a search warrant turned up even more methamphetamine stashed at his residence. In total, the operation led to the seizure of more than 130 grams of the drug.

This was not Warick’s first brush with the law. He is a repeat offender with a 2010 felony conviction for trafficking in controlled substances already on his rap sheet.

Federal law means Warick will not be getting out early. He must serve at least 85% of his sentence. And when he does see daylight again, he will be under the watchful eye of the U.S. Probation Office for another eight years.

The bust was a collaborative effort between the FBI’s Louisville Field Division, led by Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Stansbury, and the Kentucky State Police, helmed by Commissioner Col. Phillip J. Burnett Jr.

Carlton S. Shier IV, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, called the shots on the sentencing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Blankenship handled the courtroom work.