BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) - Last week, the final defendant in a six-person methamphetamine conspiracy centered in Bowling Green was sentenced.
On March 17, Shantaja Hutchins was sentenced to serve 18 1/2 years in federal prison.
According to court records, the 49-year-old invested in large quantities of methamphetamine which Leroy B. Riggsbee, 40, obtained.
This conspiracy involved the transportation of 77 pounds of methamphetamine from the Atlanta, GA area to Bowling Green. The large quantity of methamphetamine was seized following the traffic stop of a vehicle occupied by Joseph A. Raby, 43, and Brandon T. Trent, 27, on Jan. 4, 2023.
Hutchins was in a separate car following Trent and Raby back from Georgia.
The conspiracy involved the transportation of 77 pounds of methamphetamine from the Atlanta, GA area to Bowling Green.
Hutchins was sentenced for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.
The other members of the conspiracy were previously sentenced for their roles in connection with this drug conspiracy:
- Riggsbee, a lead defendant with Hutchins, was sentenced on Nov. 17, 2025, to serve 17 1/2 years in federal prison
- Jeffery W. Glass, 53, was sentenced on Feb. 4, 2025, to serve 4 3/4 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for his role as a co-conspirator.
- Tyler P. Houchens, 31, was sentenced on Nov. 5, 2024, to serve 10 years in federal prison, followed by years of supervised release, for his role as a co-conspirator. He fled police during this conspiracy and was found to possess for resale 10 lbs. of methamphetamine.
- Raby was sentenced on Nov. 7, 2023, to serve 9 years in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for his role as a co-conspirator.
- Trent was sentenced on May 2, 2024, to serve 2 years and 1 month in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for his role as a co-conspirator.
- Antoine J. Bass, 43, was charged with selling methamphetamine on two occasions. On Nov. 16, 2023, he was sentenced to serve 6 years and 7 months in federal prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release, for his role as a street level drug dealer.
The case was investigated by the ATF Bowling Green Field Office and the Bowling Green/Warren County Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (AHIDTA) Drug Task Force.
Bowling Green/Warren County AHIDTA Drug Task Force Director Tommy M. Loving said that the case is another example of strong collaborations among agencies.
“Through this joint effort with the ATF, investigators made what we believe to be a record seizure in a single case—77 pounds of methamphetamine that was being transported back into Warren County Loving said in a release. “Today’s final sentencing ensures that the primary individuals responsible for this operation will no longer be able to distribute their poison in South Central Kentucky. We commend the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky for its continued dedication to prosecuting major drug traffickers and helping keep our communities safe.”
There is no parole in the federal system.
Original Article: https://www.wbko.com/2026/03/23/last-defendant-sentenced-bowling-green-meth-conspiracy-case/