LONDON – A Martin County couple arrested in Magoffin earlier this month, along with another person, are now facing federal drug trafficking charges.
On July 23, a federal grand jury in London indicted Jimmy E. Hall, Frankie Hall and Jimmy Blake Hall. Count 1 of the indictment alleges that beginning in March 2025 through July 13, 2026, in Knott and Magoffin counties, the three conspired together and with others to knowingly and intentionally distribute a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, and a quantity of pills containing oxycodone, each a Schedule II controlled substance. As part of the conspiracy, it was determined 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine would be distributed as it relates to Jimmy E. Hall, also known as “Jimbo,” and Frankie L. Hall. The indictment also states that Jimmy E. Hall had previously been convicted of a serious drug felony, for which he served more than 12 months in prison, and for which he was released from serving any term of imprisonment related to that offense within 15 years of the commencement of the offenses.
Count 2 alleges that on March 26, 2025, in Knott County, Jimmy Blake Hall distributed a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance.
Count 3 stems from the arrest made in Magoffin County on July 13, alleging that Jimmy E. Hall and Frankie L. Hall possessed wit the intent to distribute a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance.
Each charge carries a possible penalty of not more than 20 years imprisonment, not more than a $1 million fine, and at least 3 years supervised release. Given that they’re accused of being responsible for 50 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture on count 1, Jimmy E. Hall and Frankie Hall also face not less than 5 years and not more than 49 tears imprisonment, not more than a $5 million fine, and at least 4 years supervised release. Jimmy E. Hall, having a prior conviction, faces not less than 10 years nor more than life imprisonment, not more than $10 million, and at least 8 years supervised release on count 1 and not more than 30 years imprisonment, not more than $2 million fine and at least 6 years of supervised release on counts 2 and 3.
According to the original arrest citation from the Magoffin County arrest, on July 13, Jimmy Hall and Frankie Lynn Hall, of Dema, KY, were pulled over by Kentucky State Police after law enforcement observed their silver SUV traveling east on the Mountain Parkway in Magoffin, reportedly going 75 mph in a 70 mph zone and with excessive tinting on the front side windows.
The driver, Jimmy Hall, could not immediately provide proof of insurance and both he and Frankie Hall, the right front passenger, were asked to exit the vehicle.
Frankie Hall called her insurance company, and police were able to verify the vehicle had an active insurance policy.
Police talked to the two separately, identifying possible deception regarding their travel itinerary, according to the arrest citation.
After given consent to search the vehicle, KSP troopers found a large amount of suspected cocaine in the rear left passenger seat, with police collecting 4.22 ounces of the substance from a box and the inside of blue rubber gloves, packaged in transparent cellophane baggies inside the gloves. Police also found a rolled one-dollar bill with a visible white powder residue inside of Frankie Hall’s purse, according to the citations.
Jimmy Hall told police anything found inside the vehicle belonged to him and his wife did not know anything about it. When police asked him about the cocaine they found in the car, he told them it was 4 ounces of Coke and that he would “beat this in court,” further stating he would “only get three to five years in prison,” according to the police report.
Both seemed to deny going to Lexington, but Frankie Hall eventually told police she lied, and that they had been to Lexington, but she had been asleep and had no knowledge about the drugs, stating they stopped and Jimmy Hall met with a person in Lexington, exiting the vehicle and returning a short time later, according to her statements made to police.
KSP utilized a drug testing device on the substance collected and received a positive result for cocaine, according to the citation.
Police believe both Halls willingly and knowingly traveled to Lexington with the intent to transport drugs back to Eastern Kentucky, according to the arrest citation from KSP.
Howards Towing arrived and removed their vehicle from the scene and the suspected cocaine was sent to the Kentucky State Police Laboratory for drug identification.
Jimmy Hall was charged with speeding 5 mph over the limit, obstructed vision and/or windshield, excessive windshield/window tinting, and first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, first offense (greater than or equal to 4 grams cocaine).
Frankie Lynn Hall was charged with first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, first offense (greater than or equal to 4 grams cocaine).
Both were taken to the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center, where they remain at press time.
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.
