Kentucky Career Criminal Sentenced To 20 + Years For Head Role In Cocaine Conspiracy
Jakolbe “Kolbe Cheese” Chenault last of 14 defendants to be found guilty in multi-kilo conspiracy
LEXINGTON, Ky. - A Richmond, Kentucky man with a lengthy criminal history was sentenced today to more than 250 months for dealing cocaine and using his retail store to conceal his drug trafficking activity.
U.S. District Court Judge Joseph M. Hood sentenced 30-year-old Jakolbe Chenault, aka, “Kolbe Cheese,” for conspiracies to distribute cocaine and launder drug money. Judge Hood enhanced Chenault’s sentence because Chenault qualified as a career offender. A career offender is someone with two or more prior violent crime or drug trafficking offenses.
According to court documents, from May 2009 until October 2011, Chenault led a large cocaine trafficking ring and distributed at least 3.5 kilograms of cocaine in Madison County. More than 10 others were part of the conspiracy.
Chenault co-owned the clothing store known as Ja Ru’s New Fashions with co-defendant Ruben Catching. Chenault acknowledged that he and Catching used drug proceeds to buy merchandise for the store.
Court documents state that Chenault also used drug profits to purchase several vehicles and a house on Oakland Avenue in Richmond. The U.S. Government seized five vehicles and the home.
Chenault has prior felony convictions which include trafficking in a controlled substance, second degree unlawful transaction with a minor and wanton endangerment first degree.
Under federal law, Chenault must serve at least 85 percent of his prison sentence. Others involved in the drug trafficking conspiracy previously received the following prison sentences: Ruben Catching - 100 months; Christina Thieleman - 120 months; Demetrius Catching - 60 months; Jermaine Carter - 60 months; Da’Lance Roberts - 120 months; James Phelps - 30 months; Bryan Campbell - 180 months; Shaquille Williams - 27 months; Franklin Floyd - 12 months and 1 day; Montel Jenkins - 138 months; Christoper Crutcher - 18 months; Laverne Cructcher - 60 months; Damar Horton - 128 months; and Edward Lamont Ellington - 87 months.
Kerry B. Harvey, U.S Attorney for the Eastern District Kentucky, Robert L. Corso, Special Agent in Charge of DEA, Stuart L. Lowery, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Christopher A. Henry, Special Agent in Charge of IRS’ Criminal Investigation Division; Rodney C. Brewer, Kentucky State Police Commissioner and Larry R. Brock, Richmond Police Chief jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by ATF, the Richmond Police Department, IRS-CID, KSP, and DEA. The U.S. Attorney’s Office was represented by Robert M. Duncan Jr. and Roger W. West.
