Published: December 28, 2007 12:23 am      

3 convicted in area drug ring

Widespread investigation conducted by FBI, KSP

A federal jury cracked down on a cocaine trafficking ring that sold illegal drugs throughout eastern Kentucky for several years.

After nine days of testimony, a federal jury convicted Roy Branham, 74, of Wheelwright in Floyd County and Johnson Countians Terry Branham, 56, and Kathy Branham, 54, of Van Lear.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen C. Smith proved Roy Branham conspired to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine and Terry and Kathy Branham conspired to distribute between 500 grams to 5 kilograms of cocaine. They used a telephone to commit the drug distribution crimes, the jury decided.

The illegal drug crimes called for a $500,000 forfeiture from the Branhams.

The case against the conspirators has been broiling with police and U.S. attorney officials for a number of months. Roy, Terry and Kathy Branham were among 12 indicted this year for participating in the cocaine-trafficking conspiracy.

The FBI and Kentucky State Police conducted the investigation, which began when KSP officers found Floyd Countians Darrell Triplett and Pamela Justice in possession of about 2 kilograms of cocaine during a routine traffic stop. Later that day, officers found various amounts of money, vehicles, firearms, ammunition and equipment purchased with drug money at Triplett’s residence.

Justice was reportedly a former campaign treasurer for former Attorney General Greg Stumbo and Sen. Johnny Ray Turner, D-Drift.

During the past several months, Triplett, Justice and fellow Floyd residents Johnny Michael Castle, Mica Patrick, Steve Tackett and Loucilla Thornsberry, also known as Louvella Tackett, pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute cocaine.

FBI investigators intercepted two telephone conversations during a period of several months in 2006 in which Justice and Steve and Louvella Tackett talked about the sale and purchase of cocaine. Undercover officers made numerous cocaine purchases from associates of Triplett and Justice in 2006. Terry Branham sold 42 ounces of cocaine to one undercover officer.

Over the course of the investigation, some defendants reported purchasing cocaine from other defendants on a monthly basis for a period of at least five years.

The Branhams are scheduled to be sentenced in London on April 14 by U.S. District Judge Danny C. Reeves.

Roy Branham faces 10 years to life in prison. Terry and Kathy Branham could each be sentenced to between five and 40 years.

MARY MUSIC can be reached at mmusic@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2657.