The leader of a large drug trafficking operation, that distributed large quantities of heroin and marijuana in northern Kentucky and southern Ohio, has been sentenced to 353 months in federal prison.

Today, U.S. District Judge Amul R. Thapar sentenced Alberto Lara-Chavez, 45, of Pasadena, Calif., for conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and 100 kilograms or more of marijuana, distribution of heroin, distribution of marijuana, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, possession of a firearm by an illegal alien, conspiracy to launder money, and engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise.

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Judge Thapar also sentenced Lara-Chavez’s son, Jose Alberto Lara, 23, of Planada, Calif., to 60 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana. Under federal law both defendants must serve at least 85 percent of their prison sentences.

Those two, along with Felix Agundiz-Montes, were convicted in March of 2015, following a nine-day jury trial. The evidence at trial established that, from October 2012 through May 16, 2014, Lara-Chavez led a group of 19 individuals who conspired to distribute heroin and marijuana in Kenton, Boone, Campbell, Gallatin, and Grant Counties in Kentucky, as well as Hamilton, Brown, and Clermont Counties in Ohio.

The evidence at trial also established that the group shipped marijuana, from Texas and California, to locations in Ohio and Kentucky; the group operated a large marijuana field in Sardinia, Ohio; and brought heroin, from Columbus, Ohio, to northern Kentucky for distribution.

Court records and evidence further showed that, during the course of the conspiracy, many of the conspirators were not legally present in the United States and had been brought here, by other conspirators, to sell narcotics; many illegally possessed firearms to protect the drugs and drug proceeds; and the leaders conspired to launder funds from the operation through bank deposits, wire transfers, and casino activity. Several of the conspirators also claimed they were associated with a Mexican drug cartel. Lara-Chavez was the leader of the group and directed its local activities.

All of his co-conspirators have been convicted and sentenced for their roles.

A wrongful death lawsuit against Stanville Social Security attorney Eric C. Conn has been dismissed.

Emma Burchett, widow of Leroy Burchett, sued Conn last month, following her husband’s suicide.

Burchett was one of over 900 eastern Kentucky residents represented by the controversial Floyd county attorney whose benefits were frozen pending a review by the Social Security Administration.

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The SSA sent out letters notifying recipients represented by Conn’s office between 2009 and 2011, announcing a review to determine whether the individual in question was actually disabled. The complaint states that Burchett sought Conn as counsel after he suffered significant physical injuries around six years ago.

LEX 18 obtained a copy of the letter sent to Burchett. The letter read in part, “Under the Social Security Act, SSA must redetermine an individual’s disability case when there is reason to believe that fraud or similar fault was involved in the individual’s application for benefits. The law requires that the SSA disregard any evidence obtained from one of the medical providers identified above when the information was submitted by representative Eric C. Conn or other representatives with Mr. Conn’s law office. One or more of these sources provided evidence in your case, and we used that evidence to find you disabled.”

According to a Facebook post from Burchett’s lawyer, Ned Pillersdorf, Burchett fell into a depression after receiving the letter and was unable to afford his medication, “Leroy Burchett after receiving his SSA suspension letter lapsed into a deep dark depression. He ceased taking his medications for economic reasons.” The court documents state that those prescribed medications included anti-depressants.

Floyd Circuit Judge Tom Smith dismissed this afternoon. In his ruling, Smith said suicide “breaks the chain of causation.” He said Conn could not have foreseen Leroy Burchett’s suicide, as even his widow had not foreseen it.

The victim of a Clark County homicide  has been positively identified.

The sheriff’s department said the body of a man was discovered in July in  a shed on a farm in Clark County, wrapped in a pool liner. The man has positively been identified as Daryl Wiseman. Detectives suspect that the man was killed more than two months ago.

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Roger Kinney Jr., who lived at the same residence, is under arrest in Ohio on multiple Clark County Warrants from the day before the murder is believed to have been committed.

Family told LEX 18 that they believed that the body was Wiseman before he was identified.

The Clark County Coroner confirms that he has been positively ID’d using dental records and x-rays.  His body will go to the University of Tennessee for further work to determine a cause of death, but they are certain it is a homicide

Kinney is being held in the Warren County Jail in Ohio.

Kentucky State Police officials have received credible information that an escapee from Blackburn Correctional Complex is hiding somewhere in Henderson County.

James Dennis escaped from the Lexington correctional facility April 7^th , 2015 and has avoided capture since.

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The organization has released several mugs of Dennis to show him with different hairstyles and facial hair.

If you have information on Dennis’ whereabouts, you are asked to contact local law enforcement or Kentucky State Police Post 16-Henderson at 270.826.3312.

Deputies and U.S. Marshals in Laurel County executed a drug roundup Tuesday.

Officials say the roundup was the culmination of a three-month undercover investigation that led to 30 arrest warrants for drug trafficking and possession charges.

Officers arrested 19 suspects Tuesday during “Operation Turning Up the Heat.” More arrests are expected.

Following is a list of those taken into custody so far, provided by the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office.

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1.    Glenda Grubb age 32 of Keavy Rd., London charged with trafficking in a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense; and trafficking in a controlled substance within 1000 feet of the school.
2.    Maxine Marcum age 40 of Richland Drive, Lily charged with possession of a controlled substance.
3.    Kenneth Adams III age 22 all Maple Grove Rd., London charged with trafficking in a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – methamphetamine
4.    Tina Elswick age 30 of Bowling Ridge Rd., London charged with trafficking in a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – roxicet
5.    Paul Brock age 35 of W. 5th St., Corbin charged with trafficking in a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – hydrocodone
6.    Sheena Wagers age 31 of Echo Valley Rd., Lily charged with trafficking in a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – hydrocodone
7.    Judy Fultz age 44 of  E. Pittsburgh Church Rd., London charged with trafficking in a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense; and trafficking in a controlled substance – first-degree – second offense – oxycodone and hydrocodone
8.    Tabitha Schumaker age 33 of wild wood apartments, London charged with trafficking in a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – oxycodone
9.    Lionel Medley age 60 of Richland Dr., London charged with trafficking in a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – Roxicet
10.    Tammera Sizemore age 57 of Moore Valentine Road, Lily charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance – second-degree – hydrocodone
11.    Donna Medley age 48 address unknown charged with possession of a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – roxicet
12.    Corina Jastal age 25 of Stony Fork Rd., Corbin charged with trafficking in a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – methamphetamine: possession of Controlled Substance 1st degree-1st offense -Crystal methamphetame
13.Lisa Fields age 45 of Foley Rd., London charged with trafficking in a controlled substance – first-degree – first offense – oxycodone; also this subject was charged with knowingly fraudulently using ID card or electronic code for benefits – this subject had 2 EBT cards in her possession that belong to other individuals
14.Lester Lawson 65 Of Foley Rd., London charged with trafficking in a controlled substance – first-degree -Roxicet
15. Marisa McConnell age 22 of Corbin Manor Apts., Corbin Trafficking in a Controlled Substance 1st degree
16. Melissa Helton age 30 Siler Hill Road, Corbin charged with theft by unlawful taking

Deputies also arrested three  individuals wanted on other charges :
1.    Edgar Bowling age 42 of Matt Baker Rd., London charged with nonsupport – first offense; probation violation; and knowingly fraudulently using ID card or electronic code or benefits – subject had an EBT card in his possession that did not belong to him
2.    Katrina Dixon age 38 of MJB Dr., London charged with possession of a handgun by a convicted felon
3.    Travis Dixon age 38 of MJB drive, London charged with possession of firearm by convicted felon; receiving stolen property – firearm; and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.