Hamilton man to serve 15 years for drug, firearms crimes

Butler County correctional center. STAFF

Butler County correctional center. STAFF

A Hamilton man was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for narcotics- and firearms-related crimes.

Court records show that Joshua M. Riley, 46, had bulk amounts of narcotics mailed to his home on Symmes Avenue through the United States Postal Service. In November 2022, law enforcement intercepted a package that included fictitious sender and recipient names.

That package had more than 2 kilograms of methamphetamine.

At Riley’s home, investigators discovered around 1,000 fentanyl pills, 40 pounds of marijuana, cocaine, drug trafficking paraphernalia, high-end jewelry and $18,500 in cash.

Riley also illegally possessed at least 15 firearms, such as an Akdal Arms, 12 gauge semi-automatic shotgun and a Hi-Point 9mm high-powered rifle, as well as firearm magazines, and ammunition.

Four of the firearms recovered were discovered to have been stolen, and a fifth had its serial number removed.

In July 2024, Riley pleaded guilty to possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, as well as cocaine and marijuana. He also admitted to illegally possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Riley was detained at the Butler County Jail turning the case, and was repeatedly caught smuggling drugs — specifically dozens of suboxone strips and amphetamines.

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