Federal Grand Jury in Bowling Green Returns 4 Indictments Charging 5 Defendants with Methamphetamine Trafficking and Firearms Offenses

Owensboro, KY – A federal grand jury in Bowling Green returned four indictments on March 12, 2025, charging four men and one woman with multiple methamphetamine trafficking offenses and one of the men with firearm offenses.

U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Stansbury of the FBI Louisville Field Office, Special Agent in Charge John Nokes of the ATF Louisville Field Division, U.S. Postal Inspector in Charge Lesley Allison of the Pittsburgh Division, Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. of the Kentucky State Police, and Chief Billy Bolin of the Henderson Police Department made the announcement.

According to the first indictment, Steven Marruquin, 52, of Henderson, Kentucky, is charged with three counts of distributing 50 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture on February 23, 2024, February 29, 2024, and March 15, 2024, and two counts of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture on July 11, 2024, and January 20, 2025. Marruquin is also charged with one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On July 11, 2024, Marruquin possessed a Taurus handgun. Marruquin was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had been convicted of the following felony offense.

On July 30, 2015, in United States District Court, Western District of Kentucky, Marruquin was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Brandy Powell, 46, of Henderson, Kentucky, is also charged with Marruquin in the first indictment with one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture on June 22, 2024.

According to the second indictment, Kane Bentley, 30, of Henderson, Kentucky, is charged with two counts of distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on July 31, 2024, and October 18, 2024.

According to the third indictment, Deontay Black, 34, of Henderson, Kentucky, is charged with two counts of distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on August 24, 2024, and September 10, 2024.

According to the fourth indictment, Scott Stone, 36, of Henderson, Kentucky, is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture on January 20, 2025.

Marruquin and Black, made their initial court appearances on March 19, 2025, before a U.S. Magistrate Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. The Court ordered Marruquin and Black detained pending trial. Stone made his initial appearance on March 17, 2025, and was ordered detained pending trial. Bentley and Powell are in state custody and will make their initial appearances before a U.S. Magistrate Judge later.

If convicted, Marruquin faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison. Powell faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. Bentley faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison. Black faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison. Stone faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

There is no parole in the federal system.

The cases are being investigated by the FBI Owensboro Satellite Office, the ATF Bowling Green Field Office, the Kentucky State Police, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Henderson Police Department, with assistance from the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office, and HSI Owensboro.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. Yurchisin II, of the United States Attorney’s Bowling Green Branch Office, is prosecuting the cases.

These cases are 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).

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

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