LEXINGTON – As court documents had already indicated, a Louisville man changed his plea in federal court last week, admitting to possessing a large quantity of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute the drugs in Eastern Kentucky.
Robert E. Pilgrim, 35, of Louisville, was rearraigned on February 18, pleading guilty to an amended charge of possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, in Magoffin County, on or about August 15, 2023.
According to the indictment, he’s facing not less 10 years nor more than life imprisonment, not more than $10 million fine, and at least five years supervised release.
Within the plea deal, Pilgrim admits to the following: “On or about August 15, 2023, in Magoffin County, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle occupied by the Defendant.
During a subsequent search of the vehicle, law enforcement located and seized fentanyl, cocaine, and over 50 grams of Defendant’s methamphetamine (mixture). The Defendant possessed these controlled substances and intended to distribute them in the Eastern District of Kentucky.”
Pilgrim is currently in custody at the Woodford County Detention Center, being held for the U.S. Marshals. Sentencing is scheduled for June 11 at 10:30 a.m. in Lexington Federal Court.
The case started with a traffic stop conducted by the Magoffin County Sheriff Department, with Magoffin County Sheriff Bill Meade telling Mortimer Media Group the arrest had an immediate, positive ripple effect on the drug supply in the Magoffin and Eastern Kentucky area.
Editor’s Note: The indictment or charge of a person by a grand jury or otherwise is an accusation only and that person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
