Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

ASHLAND, Ky. — An Ashland man, Gary R. Rowe, 49, was sentenced on Monday to 262 months in federal prison, by U.S. District Judge David Bunning for armed drug trafficking charges.

Rowe pleaded guilty in November 2022, to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, 2 counts; possession of methamphetamine less than 50 grams; possession with intent to distribute 10 grams or more of a fentanyl analogue (fluorofentanyl); possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, 3 counts;  possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, 2 counts; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.  Rowe qualifies as an Armed Career Criminal and a Career Offender.

 In September 2021, law enforcement received information that Rowe was distributing large quantities of narcotics in Boyd County.  During the investigation, law enforcement seized 163 grams of methamphetamine, 165 grams of a fentanyl analogue (fluorofentanyl), and 91 grams of fentanyl from Rowe.  Law enforcement also seized two firearms and Rowe admitted that he possessed a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking crimes.  Rowe is a convicted felon and since 2001 has been convicted on eight occasions of trafficking in a controlled substance. 

Rowe pleaded guilty in November 2022.

Under federal law, Rowe must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for eight years.

Carlton S. Shier IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky and Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by ATF and the Northeast Kentucky Drug Task Force. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Rieker.

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