Pendleton County Man Sentenced to 37 Months for Possession of Firearm as Convicted Felon

COVINGTON, Ky. - A Falmouth, Kentucky man, Charles E. Luke, 36, was sentenced to 37 months on Thursday, by U.S. District Judge David L. Bunning, for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.             

Luke admitted that on July 27, 2019, he was stopped by police in Pendleton County.  When the officers approached his vehicle, he placed a firearm in the glovebox.  Luke further admitted that he knew he was a convicted felon and was not permitted to possess a firearm.  Luke pleaded guilty in November 2019.

Luke had three prior felony convictions.

Under federal law, Luke must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release, Luke will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for three years.

Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Tommy Estevan, Acting Special Agent in Charge for ATF, Louisville Field Office; and Commissioner Rodney Brewer, Kentucky State Police, jointly made the announcement.

The investigation was conducted by ATF and KSP. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Wade Napier. 

This is another case prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide, crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety — one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts. In the Eastern District of Kentucky, U.S. Attorney Robert Duncan Jr., coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.

This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. Click here for more information about Project Guardian.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

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