Barren County Man Charged With Drug Trafficking And Illegal Possession Of Firearms

BOWLING GREEN, KY – A federal grand jury in Bowling Green returned an indictment yesterday charging a Barren County man with drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms.

According to court documents, Eric R. Sturgeon, 40, of Cave City, KY, was found on or about November 12, 2020, in Barren County, KY to possess with the intent to distribute fifty (50) grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectible amount of methamphetamine. Sturgeon is also charged with possessing two handguns on the same date after he had been convicted of a felony, and in furtherance of his drug trafficking.

Sturgeon is also charged with possessing with the intent to distribute fifty (50) grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectible amount of methamphetamine, on or about May 6, 2021, in Warren County, KY. On this same date, Sturgeon possessed a different handgun after he had been convicted of a felony and possessed the handgun in furtherance of his drug trafficking.

Sturgeon is charged with two counts of Possession with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, two counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person, and two counts of Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison.  There is no parole in the federal system. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearm (ATF), made the announcement.

The ATF, Barren River Drug Task Force, and Bowling Green/Warren County Drug Task Force are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. Yurchisin II of the Bowling Green U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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