Federal jury convicts Louisville residents on kidnapping, drug trafficking charges

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Three people from Louisville were convicted by a federal jury for numerous offenses including kidnapping, robbery and drug trafficking on Monday.

According to court documents, John E. Lohden Jr., 34, and others impersonated U.S. Marshals on July 20, 2021. They kidnapped a victim and held the person for ransom. Lohden was found guilty of kidnapping and impersonator making arrest or search. According to a news release, Lohden also had three guns that were stolen from the Louisville Metro Police Department.

Lohden was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of previous felony offenses including wanton endangerment and receiving stolen property under $10,000.

Dayton Peterson, 23, impersonated an LMPD officer, ATF agent and U.S. Marshal to kidnap and rob adults and children at a home in Louisville. Peterson took money, jewelry, firearms and controlled substances from the home.

According to a news release, Lohden and Peterson were found guilty of one count each of kidnapping, impersonator making arrest or search, robbery and other charges. Court documents said Lohden also fled from police in a vehicle, and when he was captured, he had more than 12 kilograms of cocaine, a kilogram of heroin, several guns and a sting ball grenade.

According to news release, Peterson and Samantha Trummer, 29, used proceeds from an Aug. 2022 robbery to purchase a mobile home. They were found guilty of money laundering.

Peterson was also found in possession of more than 700 grams of cocaine and 500 grams of heroin.

Lohden, Peterson and Trummer are scheduled for sentencing on July 22, 2024. Lohden races a minimum sentence of 20 years.

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