Lexington Man Sentenced to 65 Years on Firearm and Drug Charges

Keith Stallworth convicted of multiple weapons and drug trafficking offenses

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A 41-year-old Lexington man named Keith Stallworth was sentenced to 65 years in federal prison for a range of firearm and drug trafficking charges, including possession of a pistol with a machine gun conversion device, large quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in combating the interrelated issues of illegal firearms, drug trafficking, and violent crime in urban areas. Stallworth's lengthy sentence reflects the severity of his crimes and the efforts by federal prosecutors to remove dangerous repeat offenders from the community.

The details

In August 2023, police executed a search warrant at Stallworth's downtown Lexington apartment and found a pistol with a 'switch' device that converted it to a machine gun, as well as large quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine, plus hundreds of rounds of ammunition. Stallworth was later convicted in August 2025 on multiple federal charges related to the firearms and drug trafficking.

  • Stallworth was arrested in August 2023.
  • Stallworth was convicted in August 2025.
  • Stallworth was sentenced in February 2026.

The players

Keith Stallworth

A 41-year-old Lexington man convicted of multiple firearm and drug trafficking offenses.

U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky

The federal prosecutors who brought the charges against Stallworth and secured his 65-year prison sentence.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Stallworth will be required to serve 85% of his 65-year sentence and will be under federal supervision for 10 years after his release.

The takeaway

This lengthy sentence sends a strong message about the consequences for individuals who engage in the dangerous combination of firearms and drug trafficking, underscoring law enforcement's commitment to removing such threats from the community.