Bowling Green Man Sentenced to Over 18 years in Federal Prison for Methamphetamine Distribution and Firearms Offenses

Bowling Green, KY – A Bowling Green man was sentenced on August 26, 2025, to serve 18 years and 4 months in federal prison for possessing with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture and 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

U.S. Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge John Nokes of the ATF Louisville Field Division, and Director Tommy Loving of the Bowling Green/Warren County Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (AHIDTA) Drug Task Force made the announcement.

According to court documents, on or about February 15, 2024, in Warren County, Kentucky, Joshua O. Duncan, 40, possessed with the intent to distribute 4,667 grams of methamphetamine and 574.08 grams of fentanyl. In furtherance of his drug trafficking, Duncan also possessed a Smith and Wesson .38 caliber revolver, a Springfield Armory .45 caliber semiautomatic pistol, a Ruger .380 caliber semiautomatic pistol, and a Smith and Wesson .40 caliber semiautomatic pistol. Duncan was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had previously been convicted of the following felony offenses.

On August 21, 2018, in Logan Circuit Court, Duncan was convicted of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, first offense, greater than 2 grams of methamphetamine.

On August 27, 2012, in Logan Circuit Court, Duncan was convicted of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, first offense, cocaine.

On March 11, 2010, in Logan Circuit Court, Duncan was convicted of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, first offense, cocaine.

Based on this conduct, and Duncan’s criminal history, the Court imposed a sentence of 18 years and 4 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

“Joshua Duncan is a longtime drug dealer in and around Warren County that was given plenty of chances to reform his behavior. Unfortunately, he doubled down on his criminal ways, distributing even more methamphetamine and fentanyl into our community while armed with four handguns. Warren County is safer today because of this lengthy sentence—the culmination of fantastic work between local, state, and federal agents,” said U.S. Attorney Kyle Bumgarner.

ATF Special Agent in Charge John Nokes said, “We are proud to partner with the Warren County Drug Task Force and will continue to prioritize our investigative resources to focus on those who wish to deal in dangerous drugs and violence in Central Kentucky. This significant sentence is an example of what should be expected by our strong collaborative effort.” 

“We are pleased to see justice served in the case of a significant drug trafficker selling poison in Bowling Green and Warren County. This case underscores the continued cooperation of law enforcement partners—local, state, and federal—working together to bring cases before the United States Attorney for prosecution and sentencing without the possibility of parole. The community can be assured that he will not be trafficking drugs for the next 18 years,” said Director Tommy Loving.

There is no parole in the federal system.

The ATF Bowling Green Field Office and Bowling Green/Warren County Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (AHIDTA) Drug Task Force investigated the case.

Assistant United States Attorney Mark J. Yurchisin II of the United States Attorney’s Office Bowling Green Branch prosecuted the case.

This conviction is a part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

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