LEXINGTON, Ky. - A Detroit man, Shannon D. Hixon, 43, was sentenced to life in federal prison on Friday, by Chief U.S. District Judge Danny C. Reeves, after previously being convicted of conspiring to distribute oxycodone and fentanyl, and distribution of fentanyl resulting in an overdose death.        

Hixon was convicted at trial, in July 2019. According to the evidence, Hixon supplied thousands of Oxycodone 30 mg tablets to two individuals in Lexington, which were then transported to Morehead, Kentucky (Rowan County) and Salyersville, Kentucky (Magoffin County), and sold to local dealers and drug users. Additionally, the evidence established that Hixon had supplied heroin and fentanyl to a group of users in Lexington, which included supplying a lethal quantity of fentanyl that was distributed to K.F., an Army veteran in rehab, causing K.F.’s overdose death.

Hixon has a prior conviction for Trafficking in a Controlled Substance First Degree, imposed by the Fayette Circuit Court, in May 2004.         

“The defendant, and other drug dealers who illegally distribute opioids, help fuel addictions and spread misery and death. Our Office has no greater priority than holding drug traffickers, particularly repeat offenders like the defendant, accountable for their criminal conduct. Because of his prior drug trafficking conviction, and because his drug dealing caused an overdose death, the defendant will spend the rest of his life in prison,” said Robert M. Duncan Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “The sentence imposed should send a clear message – if you are of convicted of dealing drugs and causing a death you face a substantial punishment for your actions. We remain committed, along with our law enforcement partners, in pursuing these important cases to help vindicate the interests of the victims’ families and keep our communities safe.”   

United States Attorney Duncan; Daniel Dodds, Acting Special Agent in Charge, DEA Louisville Field Division; Chief Derrick Blevins, Morehead Police Department; and Chief Lawrence Weathers, Lexington Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the DEA, Morehead Police Department, and the Lexington Police Department. The United States was represented in the case by Assistant U.S. Attorney Roger W. West.

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LEXINGTON, Ky. - A Detroit man was convicted late yesterday, by a federal jury sitting in Lexington, of conspiring to distribute both oxycodone and fentanyl and distribution of fentanyl resulting in an overdose death.         

After approximately four hours of deliberations following a four-day trial, the jury convicted 43-year old Shannon D. Hixon of conspiring to distribute pills containing oxycodone and fentanyl and distribution of fentanyl resulting in the overdose death of K.F.         

According to the evidence at trial, Hixon supplied thousands of Oxycodone 30 mg tablets to two individuals in Lexington, which were then transported to Morehead (Rowan County) and Salyersville (Magoffin County), Kentucky, and sold to lower-level dealers and users.  Additionally, the testimony established that Hixon supplied heroin and fentanyl to a group of users in Lexington.  This included supplying a lethal quantity of fentanyl to a middle man, who then distributed it to K.F., an Army veteran in rehab, causing the overdose death.           

Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; D. Christopher Evans, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Louisville Field Division; Chief Derrick Blevins, Morehead Police Department; and Chief Lawrence Weathers, Lexington Police Department, jointly announced the jury’s verdict.

The investigation was conducted by the DEA, Morehead Police Department, and the Lexington Police Department.  The United States was represented in the case by Assistant U.S. Attorney Roger W. West. 

Hixon is scheduled to appear for sentencing on November 8, 2019.  He faces a minimum of 20 years and a maximum of Life in prison.  However, the Court must consider the  U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the applicable federal statutes before imposing a sentence.