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Courts: NKY drug supply fed by Iron Horsemen motorcycle leader

COVINGTON – Part of Northern Kentucky's crystal methamphetamine supply rode in with the Iron Horsemen motorcycle gang for two years.

Earlier today, a federal judge sentenced an Iron Horsemen motorcycle gang leader from Boone County to 35 years in prison.

Florence Iron Horsemen chapter president and national "enforcer" Matthew Wesley Shaffer was convicted by a jury on drug distribution and weapons charges, according to a U.S. Department of Justice news release.

U.S. District Court Judge David Bunning gave the sentence to the 39-year-old Walton resident Thursday in a Covington courtroom. Shaffer has to serve at least 85 percent of his sentence under federal law.

Trial evidence showed Shaffer led a group of people who smuggled crystal methamphetamine in October 2016 into the Boone County Detention Center. Shaffer directed a group transporting "large" amounts of crystal meth in 2015 and 2016 from California to Northern Kentucky, according to trial evidence.

Shaffer was convicted by a jury in August of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession of meth with intent to distribute, possession of a gun by a convicted felon and possession of a gun in furtherance of drug trafficking.

On Aug. 25, 2016, police found Shaffer at his Walton home in possession of 180 grams of crystal meth, two loaded firearms, body armor and nearly $9,000 in cash.

The DEA, ATF and Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force ran the investigation of Shaffer.

“This investigation and prosecution highlights the importance of a strong partnership between local, state, and federal law enforcement in reducing violent crime and drug trafficking activities,” said Robert M. Duncan, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “Our communities are made safer through the cooperative efforts of law enforcement, and I commend the officers and agents for their hard work and dedication on this case and others like it.”

The sentencing was announced by Duncan, DEA special agent in charge TImothy J. Plancon and ATF special agent in charge Stuart Lowrey.