LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Versailles, Ky., man, Kashajuan Kalil Lyvers 24, was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison on Wednesday, before U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell, for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to Lyvers’ plea agreement, he admitted that, on October 2, 2019, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on his vehicle and found him in possession of more than six grams of fentanyl that he planned to distribute. Furthermore, Lyvers was found with a stolen, loaded.40 caliber pistol. Lyvers admitted that he possessed the firearm unlawfully because he was a convicted felon.
Lyvers had previously been convicted of Fleeing or Evading Police First Degree, Wanton Endangerment First Degree, and Receiving Stolen Property in Fayette County in February 2015. Lyvers was also convicted of Trafficking a Controlled Substance First Degree in Fayette County in February 2015.
Lyvers pleaded guilty to the federal charges in June 2020.
Under federal law, Lyvers must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence and will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for six years, following his release
Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division; and Chief Lawrence Weathers, Lexington Police Department, jointly announced the guilty plea.
The investigation was conducted by ATF and the Lexington Police Department. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francisco Villalobos.
This is another case 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 Duncan coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. Click here for more information about Project Guardian.