Major drug bust in Lexington, Kentucky leads to federal charges against two individuals

LEXINGTON, Ky. — A significant drug bust in Lexington, Kentucky, has led to federal charges against two individuals, Keith L. Stallworth and Paige V. Graves, both charged with knowingly and intentionally possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. The charges were filed Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky (Lexington).

The Investigation

The investigation was led by Thomas Clements, a Task Force Officer with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and a detective with the Lexington Police Department (LPD). The Kentucky State Police (KSP) East Interdiction Team also played a crucial role in the operation.

A search warrant was obtained on August 9, 2023, authorizing investigators to conduct a search of a Stone Avenue Apartment in Lexington, Kentucky, a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe with a Florida license plate, and the person of Keith L. Stallworth.

The Bust

According to the criminal complaint, on August 10, 2023, members of the DEA and KSP established surveillance of the Stone Avenue address. At approximately 11:50 am, Stallworth was observed exiting the residence and entering the Hyundai Santa Fe. Due to previous knowledge of Stallworth’s possession of firearms and evasion from law enforcement, investigators did not detain him immediately.

At approximately 2:10 pm, Stallworth was observed returning to the Stone Avenue residence. Law enforcement members established active containment, leading to Stallworth ramming a KSP vehicle. He was ultimately removed from the vehicle and placed into custody without further incident.

Seizures

On Stallworth’s person, law enforcement allegedly located and seized:

• A Palmetto State Armory 5.7 caliber handgun
• Approximately 143 gross grams of suspected fentanyl
• Approximately 54 gross grams of suspected cocaine
• Approximately 479.2 gross grams of suspected methamphetamine
• Approximately 50.3 gross grams of suspected fentanyl in the passenger compartment of the vehicle

A search of the residence led to the arrest of Paige V. Graves and yielded:

• Additional suspected controlled substances
• Multiple firearms, ammunition, and magazines
• A drug processing laboratory with a scale, cutting agents, a heat sealer, and a kilogram press
• 182.6 gross grams of suspected methamphetamine
• Suspected fentanyl pills, marijuana, cocaine, crack cocaine, and methamphetamine
• Two handguns, multiple rounds of ammunition, and three magazines associated with long rifles

Both Stallworth and Graves are prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions, according to the criminal complaint. Their first court appearances will be scheduled later this week.