A Bowling Green resident charged in a drug-trafficking case involving the seizure of several pounds of methamphetamine is anticipated to plead guilty.

A change of plea hearing was set for Monday in U.S. District Court for Leroy Riggsbee, 39, who was indicted last year on charges of conspiracy to possess meth with the intent to distribute, two counts of distribution of meth and two counts of possession of meth with the intent to distribute.

Riggsbee is one of seven people to have been charged as co-defendants in what prosecutors say was a scheme in which they acted together to deal meth in Warren County.

The criminal case is built on one of the largest drug busts by local law enforcement.

On Jan. 4, 2023, Kentucky State Police troopers attempted to stop a Chevrolet Tahoe traveling north on Interstate 65 for having excessive window tinting, according to a criminal complaint.

The car, driven by Joseph Raby, pulled over and stopped, before Raby sped off and fled from officers, touching off a pursuit that spanned about three miles before Raby’s car crashed into a KSP cruiser, court records show.

After a police dog alerted to the presence of narcotics, officers searched Raby’s car.

“Officers seized a Home Depot box containing 35 bags of suspected methamphetamine weighing approximately 76.125 pounds from the back seat,” the criminal complaint filed in 2023 U.S. District Court said.

Another bag of suspected meth weighing about 5/8 of a pound was recovered from the center console.

Raby admitted to his involvement in drug dealing during a police interview, according to court records.

“Raby confessed to traveling to the Atlanta area and picking up the methamphetamine found in the vehicle and bringing it back to Bowling Green,” the criminal complaint said. “Raby admitted he was transporting methamphetamine on behalf of Leroy Riggsbee.”

Raby pleaded guilty in 2023 to taking part in the conspiracy and was sentenced to nine years in prison.

In all, five of the seven people charged have pleaded guilty, accepting sentences ranging between 25 months and nine years.

A grand jury returned a superseding indictment against Riggsbee and two other people previously charged in the conspiracy.

In the superseding indictment, federal prosecutors provided notice of prior drug-related convictions against Riggsbee that could be used to enhance any penalties he may receive in the federal case.

As charged, Riggsbee faces between 15 years and life in prison if convicted, whereas he previously faced a penalty range of 10 years to life.