ASHLAND —
A decorated Iraq War veteran from Fleming County was sentenced last week to 37 months in a federal prison for illegally trafficking in pain pills in Boyd County and elsewhere,
Robert W. Taylor, 31, of Wallingford, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge David L. Bunning for conspiracy to distribute oxycodone and possession of the drug with intent to distribute. Two additional counts were dismissed under the terms of Taylor’s plea agreement.
Bunning also sentenced Taylor to three years of supervised release following his term of incarceration and ordered him to participate in the Bureau of Prisons’ 500-hour drug treatment program while he is in prison. The judge also recommended Taylor serve his sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution in Lexington.
Taylor and his brother, Jarrod D. Taylor, 29, were indicted in July by a federal grand jury. According to court records, the brothers, along with others, agreed to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone in Boyd County and elsewhere between Sept. 28 and Dec. 1, 2011.
On two separate occasions during that period, Robert Taylor sold pills provided to him by his brother to a confidential informant working for law enforcement, records state.
Robert Taylor acknowledged the total number of illegally trafficked pills attributable to his was approximately 200, his plea agreement states.
In a sentencing memorandum filed on his behalf, Taylor’s attorney, Michael Fox of Olive Hill, said his client’s addiction to OxyContin — which led to him selling drugs to finance his own habit — stemmed from childhood emotional, sexual and physical abuse.
“Robert reports that his drug usage was an attempt to cope with ‘forget about bad memories from childhood,’” Fox wrote.
According to Fox, Taylor joined the Army in 2001 and was honorably discharged in 2007. He achieved the rank of E-4, was primarily involved in bridging and demolition and received various awards for his work as a combat engineer, including an Overseas Ribbon for his “distinguished efforts” during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Fox wrote.
Following his discharge, Taylor’s drug use “continued and increased (due to him) having had military experiences which only exacerbated his undiagnosed emotional problems and mental illness,” Fox wrote.
Taylor was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, combat stress and depression in 2001 and had been undergoing treatment for those conditions prior to his arrest, Fox wrote.
Jarrod Taylor also pleaded guilty and was also scheduled to be sentenced last week, but his sentencing was pushed back to March 11.
KENNETH HART can be reached at khart@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2654.
Local News
Decorated veteran gets 37 months in pain pill trafficking case
- Local News
-
-
Judge: Health exchange suit can proceed
Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd will allow a suit challenging Gov. Steve Beshear’s constitutional authority to establish a Health Benefit Exchange — a key feature of federal health care reform — to proceed.
-
Homeless count up in Boyd
A count of Kentucky’s homeless in January revealed the population is shrinking statewide, but locally the numbers rose, as projected by officials.
-
59-year-old accused of stealing at Raceland graduation
A 59-year-old Greenup County man is accused of stealing from students during Raceland-Worthington High School’s graduation on Tuesday night.
During the graduation ceremony, Doran O’Neal of Raceland stole about $40 and an iPhone from purses placed in a side room, according to the Raceland Police Department. Officers said the theft was captured on surveillance video and they were able to identify O’Neal.
Raceland Police Chief Don Sammons said the graduation was finished around 9 p.m. and O’Neal was in custody before 10 p.m. -
Famous luthier/musician visits with fans in Ashland
Guitar-builder Paul Reed Smith shared sonic secrets Wednesday evening during a visit to Ashland’s 4 O’Clock Rock Guitar Shop.
“This is one of the most dedicated Paul Reed Smith dealers in the world and I’m here because I want to be here,” Smith said Wednesday afternoon as he tested a new chorus-effect pedal through one of his own amplifiers. -
Cadets honor veterans by placing flags
On their final full day of school for the year, nearly 40 Russell High School students decided they could best spend their time placing American flags upon the graves of local veterans buried at Rose Hill Cemetery.
-
12th Street bridge closed
The Kentucky Department of Transportation is in the process of closing the 12th Street Bridge.
-
05/23/2013 — What's happening
Local news
-
Bagby Music Fest new attraction for event
Patriotic and inspirational music sets the theme for a new Memory Days event at 2 p.m. Saturday following the parade.
-
Memory Days/Arts
There are extra arts events in Grayson this month that encompass music, poetry and visual arts.
-
Police beat: 5/23/13
The following information was taken from Ashland Police Department reports:
- More Local News Headlines
-
Judge: Health exchange suit can proceed
Obama Offers Drone Strike Defense
Raw: Heckler Interrupts Obama on Guantanamo
A Slice of Apple History Up for Grabs
Johnson: Don't Blame Islam or UK Policy
Raw: 80-Year-Old Climbs Mount Everest
Wash. State Man Arrested Following Ricin Scare
Chain-Reaction School Bus Crash Injures About 50
Raw: Scuffles in London After Hacking Death
Texas Students Coach Teachers on Fitness
New Forecasting Tool Eyed for Hurricane Season
Meet MJ, the Bike Riding Tabby Cat
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe
Weiner Launches Bid to Become NYC Mayor
School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones
Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage
