Hopkinsville man found guilty of drug distribution conspiracy and money laundering
PADUCAH, Ky. – A Hopkinsville man has been convicted of conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, as well as seven counts of money laundering.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office, Western District of Kentucky, court documents and evidence presented at trial show that between May 2020 and January 2022, 46-year-old Robert Blaine of Hopkinsville conspired with Roderick Tutt and Jessica Ochoa to possess with the intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine and over 400 grams of a fentanyl mixture.
Officials say during that time, Blaine wired money to Ochoa to pay for the drugs and in furtherance of the overall conspiracy. In addition, officials also say Blaine mailed a box of $36,960 to Ochoa that was gained from illegal drug sales.
On January 21, 2022, the officials state Blaine arranged for Tutt to travel to Arizona to pick up fentanyl and methamphetamine from Ochoa. Tutt was supposed to bring the drugs back to Blaine in Hopkinsville, according to the release.
Tutt was arrested on the way back to Hopkinsville with 2,059 fentanyl pills and approximately 8 kilograms of methamphetamine.
Blaine has numerous prior drug trafficking convictions, officials say.
On July 20, 2023, Tutt, 36, of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and Ochoa, 40, of Phoenix, Arizona pled guilty to conspiring with Blaine to possess with the intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine and 400 grams of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl. Ochoa also pled guilty to seven counts of money laundering. Tutt and Ochoa are scheduled for sentencing on March 25, 2025.
Blaine is scheduled for sentencing on May 5, 2025, and remains in federal custody pending sentencing.
He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison.
This case was investigated by the DEA Paducah Post of Duty, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations Division, ATF – Louisville Division, and the Hopkinsville Police Department, with assistance from the FBI Louisville Field Division, the Tonto Apache Police Department and the DEA – Phoenix Division.
