https://www.wbko.com/2025/01/23/hopkinsville-man-found-guilty-money-laundering-distribution-meth-fentanyl/
After a three-day trial, a federal jury found a Hopkinsville man guilty of conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, as well as seven counts of money laundering.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, between May 20, 2020, and January 22, 2022, 46-year-old Robert Blaine conspired with 36-year-old Roderick Tutt of Hopkinsville and 40-year-old Jessica Ochoa of Phoenix, Arizona to possess the intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine and over 400 grams of a fentanyl mixture.
During that time, Blaine wired money to Ochoa as payment for the drugs and in furtherance of the overall conspiracy. Blaine also mailed a box containing $36,960 in U.S. currency to Ochoa that he obtained from proceeds of illegal drug sales.
On January 21, 2022, Blaine arranged for Tutt to travel to Arizona to pick up fentanyl and methamphetamine from Ochoa. Per the release, Tutt was supposed to bring the drugs back to Blaine in Hopkinsville.
Tutt was arrested on the way back to Hopkinsville with 2,059 fentanyl pills and approximately eight kilograms of methamphetamine. Blaine has numerous prior drug trafficking convictions.
On July 20, 2023, Tutt and Ochoa both 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.
According to the release, Ochoa also pled guilty to seven counts of money laundering. Tutt and Ochoa are scheduled for sentencing on March 25 before a United States District Judge for the Western District of Kentucky.
Blaine is scheduled for sentencing on May 5 and remains in federal custody pending sentencing. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison.
A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
There is no parole in the federal system.
