Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Barren County Felon Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Possessing With the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Illegal Possession of Firearms
Bowling Green, KY – A Barren County, Kentucky, man was sentenced today to 15 years in federal prison for possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge R. Shawn Morrow of the ATF Louisville Field Division, and Ron Lafferty of the Barren River Drug Task Force made the announcement.
According to court documents, on November 12, 2020, Eric R. Sturgeon, 42, of Barren County, Kentucky, possessed with the intent to distribute 424.4 grams of methamphetamine. Sturgeon also possessed a SCCY CPX-1, nine-millimeter semiautomatic pistol, and a Taurus 85 Ultralite, .38 special caliber revolver. Sturgeon was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had previously been convicted of the following felony offenses. On December 3, 2018, in Barren Circuit Court, Sturgeon was convicted of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, second offense and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon. On February 3, 2015, in Barren Circuit Court, Sturgeon was convicted of first-degree possession of a controlled substance, second offense. On February 3, 2015, in Barren Circuit Court, Sturgeon was convicted of manufacturing methamphetamine, first offense and first-degree possession of a controlled substance, second offense.
Additionally, on May 6, 2021, Sturgeon possessed with the intent to distribute 172 grams of methamphetamine, and he possessed a Beretta APX, nine-millimeter semiautomatic pistol. Sturgeon was prohibited from possessing this firearm because he had previously been convicted of the above stated felony offenses.
After the 15-year prison sentence, the Court ordered Sturgeon to serve 4 years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
The case was investigated by the ATF Bowling Green Field Office and the Barren River Drug Task Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. Yurchisin II, of the United States Attorney’s Bowling Green Branch Office, prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.