LEXINGTON, Ky.- A Lexington, Kentucky, man, Eddie Tapia, 26, pleaded guilty in federal court on Tuesday, before U.S. District Court Judge Karen Caldwell, to conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.             

Tapia admitted that on June 5, 2019, officers located approximately 9 ounces of cocaine and several firearms in his vehicle. According to his plea agreement, Tapia admitted that in a search of his residence, officers located 4 kilo wrappers with cocaine residue, a money counter, and a kilo press. Tapia further admitted that between December 1, 2018 and June 5, 2019, he agreed with one or more persons to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.    

Tapia was indicted in December 2019.

Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Daniel Dodds, Acting Special Agent in Charge, DEA Louisville, jointly announced the guilty plea.

The investigation was conducted by the DEA. The U.S. Attorney’s Office was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Rieker.

Tapia is scheduled to be sentenced on June 2, 2020. He faces up to life in prison and a maximum fine of $10 million. However, any sentence will be imposed by the Court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal sentencing statutes.

This is another case prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide, crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety — one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts. In the Eastern District of Kentucky, U.S. Attorney Robert Duncan Jr., coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.

This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. Click here for more information about Project Guardian.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

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