Career Offender Sentenced to Over 15 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Methamphetamine

      LITTLE ROCK—Kelly Bruce Duncan, Jr., who has previous felony drug convictions, will spend the next 188 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down Tuesday, February 10, 2026, by United States District Judge Lee P. Rudofsky.

      A federal grand jury indicted Duncan, 43, of Lamar, in a three-count Indictment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm in furtherance with a drug trafficking crime. On September 29, 2025, Duncan pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Judge Rudofsky also sentenced Duncan to three years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

      On June 8, 2024, law enforcement attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Duncan after observing a traffic violation. The vehicle, which had fictitious tags, fled at a high rate of speed, reaching speeds up to 112 miles per hour while passing other vehicles, driving in the oncoming traffic lane multiple times, running a stop sign, and while making a turn, striking another passenger car that contained a juvenile in a car seat. Duncan drove down an ATV trail, eventually causing the vehicle to become inoperable. The pursuit was approximately 21 minutes long and covered approximately 35 miles. Duncan then fled on foot, and law enforcement saw Duncan holding a revolver. Duncan stated to law enforcement, “I’ve got a gun.” Law enforcement gave Duncan several commands to drop the firearm, while Duncan was stating he was not going back to jail. After several minutes, Duncan eventually dropped the firearm on the ground and was placed into custody. The loaded firearm was a Taurus, .45/.410 revolver.

      During the search of Duncan’s person, two separate clear baggies were found in his front right pocket containing methamphetamine (6.7885 grams in one bag confirmed to be methamphetamine by the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory, with a second bag weighing 1.2544 grams not tested), along with a .410-gauge shell. A handgun holster was located near the vehicle, and drug paraphernalia was inside the vehicle console. During the transport to the detention center Duncan made statements that he was planning to drive the vehicle off into the creek hoping to evade the officers and acknowledged possessing the firearm. Law enforcement obtained a search warrant for Duncan’s Facebook account and located messages between Duncan and others regarding the acquisition and distribution of ounce quantities of methamphetamine. Duncan admitted he was involved in the distribution of at least 200 grams of methamphetamine.

      Duncan has prior felony convictions dating back to 2001. His prior felony convictions include possession of firearms by certain person, felony fleeing, two counts of delivery of methamphetamine, and possession of methamphetamine with purpose to deliver.

      This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the Pope County Sheriff’s Office and the Fifth Judicial Drug Task Force.

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