Deputies seize 6,380 pain pills

Federal sentencing

By Ronica Shannon
Register News Writer

Two Madison County men were indicted Wednesday on federal drug charges after an investigation by the Madison County Sheriff’s Department.

Eric Wayne Grimes, 33, and Jonathan Charley Durham, 26, both of Richmond, will serve a total of six years in prison for selling prescription pain medication.

Grimes was sentenced Wednesday to 57 months in prison for trafficking in oxycodone and possessing firearms by a convicted felon.

Durham was sentenced to 15 months for trafficking in hydrocodone.

He admitted in September that he sold $45 worth of Lortab pills on February 2007. According to police, Durham was found to posses 5,280 Lortab pills (a street value of $42,240 if sold for $8 each) with the intention of distribution. Police also uncovered $11,460 in cash which he forfeited as part of a plea agreement.

Grimes admitted Sept. 8 that between February and April 2007, he distributed OxyContin pills, was in possession of eight firearms and had been convicted of receiving stolen property.

In March 2007, police found approximately 1,000 Lortab pills (street value $8,000), 100 OxyContin pills (street value $8,000) and $1,000 in cash on his person.

Lortabs are usually sold at the street price of $8 and OxyContin are $80 each, said Madison County Sheriff Nelson O’Donnell.

“We had been working on Grimes for probably about a week after we got the first complaint, and got a search warrant for his resident,” O'Donnell said.

Prior to being served the warrant, sheriff’s deputies located Grimes sitting inside a vehicle off Tates Creek Road.

Grimes’ vehicle was searched and 1,000 Lortabs were found, O’Donnell said.

The pills were shrink wrapped and “probably came from Mexico,” he said.

After arresting Grimes, information was developed about Durham, O’Donnell said.

His residence was search and sheriff’s deputies found Lortabs and OxyContin.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was notified and assisted in the investigation as a result of weapons being found in possession of a felon, O’Donnell said.

Their involvement also helps bring the case to a federal level.

“We like to get them in federal court because they have to serve 85 percent of their time and that keeps them off the streets longer,” O'Donnell said. “Any time you can take that many pills off the streets, you have to be improving the quality of life in Madison County.”

Federal law mandates that Durham and Grimes serve at least 85 percent of their sentences until being eligible for parole.

After their release, both will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office “for life,” according to a statement released Thursday from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Kentucky.

The U.S. was represented in this case by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hydee R. Hawkins.