Bowling Green, KY – A federal grand jury in Bowling Green returned an indictment on March 12, 2025, charging a Tompkinsville, Kentucky man with distributing methamphetamine.

U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott of the DEA Louisville Field Division, and Director Ron Lafferty of the Barren River Drug Task Force made the announcement.

According to the indictment, Brandon Gearlds, 41, was charged with distributing 5 grams or more of methamphetamine on October 23, 2023. Gearlds was also charged with distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on October 26, 2023, and April 24, 2024.

The defendant made his initial court appearance on March 18, 2025, before a U.S. Magistrate Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. The Court ordered the defendant detained pending trial. If convicted, Gearlds faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum sentence of life 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.   

This case is being investigated by the DEA - Paducah Post of Duty and the Barren River Drug Task Force.

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

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