HOPKINSVILLE, KY – On May 6, a Hopkinsville, Kentucky man was sentenced to 30 years 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, Robert Blaine, 46, 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.

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

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, between May 20, 2020, and January 22, 2022, Blaine conspired with Roderick Tutt, 36, of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and 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 in U.S. currency to Ochoa that he obtained from 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. Tutt was arrested on the way back to Hopkinsville with 2,059 fentanyl pills and approximately 8 kilograms of methamphetamine.

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Previous convictions and sentencing

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 pled guilty and were sentenced.

  • On March 25, 2025, Tutt was sentenced to 2 years in prison, followed by 3 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.
  • On March 25, 2025, Ochoa was sentenced to 7 years and 4 months in prison, followed by 5 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.

This case was investigated by the DEA Paducah Post of Duty, the United States Postal Inspection Service Bowling Green Office, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division Bowling Green Office, the ATF Bowling Green Field Office, and the Hopkinsville Police Department, with assistance from the FBI Louisville Field Division, the Tonto Apache Police Department, the DEA Phoenix Division, and the United States Postal Inspection Service Phoenix Division.

Assistant United States Attorney Leigh Ann Dycus, of the U.S. Attorney’s Paducah Branch Office, prosecuted the case with assistance from paralegal Cristy Crockett.

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