https://www.wbko.com/2025/05/06/man-sentenced-meth-fentanyl-trafficking-conspiracy-money-laundering/

A Hopkinsville man was sentenced to over two decades in federal prison for his role in a methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficking conspiracy and money laundering.

The sentence follows a conviction on all counts after a three-day jury trial earlier this year.

According to court documents, 46-year-old Robert Blaine was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for one count of conspiring to distribute controlled substances and 7 counts of money laundering.

He was on supervised release for a federal drug trafficking conviction at the time he committed the instant offenses, per the release.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, between May 20, 2020, and January 22, 2022, Blaine conspired with 36-year-old Roderick Tutt, of Hopkinsville and 40-year-old Jessica Ochoa, 40, of Phoenix Arizona, to possess with the intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine and over 400 grams of a fentanyl mixture.

During that time frame, 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 to Ochoa that he obtained from the 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. Tutt was supposed to bring the drugs back to Blaine in Hopkinsville.

He was arrested on the way back to Hopkinsville with 2,059 fentanyl pills and approximately 8 kilograms of methamphetamine.

Blaine has previously been convicted of the following drug trafficking crimes:

On or about June 13, 2008, in Fulton Circuit Court, Blaine was convicted of trafficking in marijuana, greater than 5 pounds.

On or about January 6, 2009, in Caldwell Circuit Court, Blaine was convicted of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance – cocaine.

On or about August 27, 2009, in Christian Circuit Court, Blaine was convicted of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance – cocaine.

On or about October 14, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, Paducah Division, Blaine was convicted of three counts of manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing a controlled substance, cocaine.

Tutt and Ochoa previously pleaded guilty and were sentenced.

On March 25, Tutt was sentenced to two years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for 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.

Ochoa was sentenced to seven years and four months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for 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 and seven counts of money laundering.

There is no parole in the federal system.