Louisville Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Methamphetamine and Firearms Offenses

Louisville, KY – Jonathan Ernspiker, 42, of Louisville, Kentucky, was sentenced yesterday to 15 years in prison, followed by 6 years of supervised release, for firearms trafficking, distribution of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, for conspiring to sell 18 firearms and approximately 58 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential law enforcement source on November 20, 2024.

U.S. Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner of the Western District of Kentucky and Special Agent in Charge John Nokes of the ATF Louisville Field Division made the announcement.

United States Attorney Kyle Bumgarner stated, “Ernspiker’s 15-year sentence demonstrates that the United States Attorney’s Office and ATF have absolutely no tolerance for drug trafficking and illegal firearms trafficking. Drug trafficking and illegal firearms trafficking significantly contribute to the violence plaguing our community. Hopefully, Ernspiker’s sentence sends a strong deterrent message to others engaged in or contemplating engaging in similar conduct.”

ATF Special Agent in Charge John Nokes stated, “Firearms trafficking undermines the basic safeguards that are in place to keep weapons out of the hands of criminals. When combined with the distribution of dangerous narcotics such as methamphetamine, it creates an environment that threatens the safety and stability of communities throughout the Commonwealth. Jonathan Ernspiker’s significant prison sentence sends a clear message: the ATF, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and our local law-enforcement partners remain fully committed to aggressively pursuing and prioritizing investigations of this nature.”  

Ernspiker was prohibited from possessing firearms due to the following prior felony convictions. 

On March 26, 2017, in Bullitt County Circuit Court, Ernspiker was convicted of convicted felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a controlled substance in the first degree.

On November 4, 2013, in Bullitt County Circuit Court, Ernspiker was convicted of fleeing or evading police in the first degree and manufacturing methamphetamine in the first degree.

On May 3, 2013, in Bullitt County Circuit Court, Ernspiker was convicted of trafficking in a controlled substance in the first degree.

On October 1, 2008, in Bullitt County Circuit Court, Ernspiker was convicted of criminal mischief in the first degree.

There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was investigated by the ATF.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua R. Porter prosecuted the case with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Adela Alic.

This case is 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.

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