Harlan Co. Woman Sentenced for Fentanyl Trafficking Conspiracy Resulting in Overdose Death

A Harlan, Ky., woman, Leslie Brock, 59, was sentenced on February 19, by U.S. District Judge Claria Horn Boom, to 250 months in prison, for conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl which resulted in the death of another person. 

According to evidence presented at trial and court documents, in January 2023 and continuing until October 2023, Brock conspired with her co-defendant, Brendan Miller, to knowingly distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl that ultimately resulted in the death of a victim.  Specifically, Brock made frequent trips to a source of supply in Lexington to purchase fentanyl and then distributed the fentanyl to individuals in Harlan County, including Miller. On one occasion, Brock purchased fentanyl in Lexington, returned to Harlan and sold a portion of it to Miller, who then distributed a portion of it to a victim, who died after taking it. Brock was convicted at trial in October 2024.  Miller pled guilty to his role in the fentanyl trafficking conspiracy.  A third defendant, Aaron Robinson, also pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking.

Under federal law, Brock must serve 85 percent of her prison sentence. Upon her release from prison, she will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for five years.

In addition to Brock’s punishment, Miller was sentenced to 132 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and Robinson was sentenced to 63 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release. 

Paul McCaffrey, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Jim Scott, Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville Field Division; Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police; and Chief Cedric Anderson, Auburn Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by DEA, KSP, and the Auburn Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Blankenship prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.