Versailles Man Receives 15-Year Sentence for Illegal Firearms and Explosives Possession

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Bryan Carroll, 46, of Versailles, was handed a 180-month prison term on Friday by Chief U.S. District Judge Danny C. Reeves for violating federal firearm and explosive laws. Carroll pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and carrying an explosive while committing a felony offense.

Authorities were alerted on March 25, 2021, that Carroll was headed to the University of Kentucky Hospital with an active arrest warrant. Law enforcement officers apprehended Carroll outside the Emergency Department. A subsequent search of Carroll and his vehicle yielded eight firearms, including a sawed-off shotgun, four explosive devices, and an improvised explosive bomb.

During interrogation, Carroll confessed to carrying the firearms when arrested and acknowledged additional firearms in his vehicle. He also admitted to having "fireworks" and constructing metal can explosive devices containing nails. Carroll revealed he had more destructive devices at home and possessed a significant amount of explosive materials. A search warrant at his residence uncovered two more firearms and six additional improvised explosive bombs.

Carroll, previously convicted of complicity to traffic a controlled substance, acknowledged his illegal possession of firearms and explosives due to his felony conviction.

Per federal law, Carroll must serve at least 85 percent of his sentence and will be under U.S. Probation Office supervision for three years post-release.

United States Attorney Carlton S. Shier, IV, along with ATF, FBI, Versailles Police Department, Lexington Police Department, and University of Kentucky Police Department, announced the sentencing. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francisco Villalobos prosecuted the case.

The case was part of the Department of Justice’s "Project Safe Neighborhoods" Program, aimed at reducing violent crime through a multifaceted approach involving investigation, prosecution, prevention, and reentry efforts.