Three Individuals Federally Charged in Bowling Green for Methamphetamine Trafficking Offenses, One Also Charged for Firearm Possession
Bowling Green, KY – Three individuals, who stand federally indicted in Bowling Green, Kentucky, are now facing charges for their alleged involvement in a drug trafficking conspiracy involving methamphetamines. One of the individuals is also being charged with the possession of a firearm in the cause of a significant drug trafficking operation.
Detailed Charges Filed
The indictment, returned by a federal grand jury on February 14, 2024, involves charges of drug trafficking conspiracy and other related offenses, particularly the intention to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamines. The chronology of the events specified in the indictment takes place between December 9, 2023, and January 18, 2024, in Warren County, Kentucky.
The indictment alleges that Trey Williams, 27, of Tompkinsville, Kentucky, Brandy Cardenas, 25, of Bowling Green, Kentucky, and Kelton Withrow, 28, of Bowling Green, Kentucky, conspired to possess with an intention to distribute and distribute methamphetamines during the specified timeframe.
Breakdown of Each Defendant’s Additional Charges
Besides the conspiracy charges, each defendant also faces several other serious charges related to drug trafficking:
- Trey Williams has been charged with aiding and abetting the distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamines on two separate occasions— December 19, 2023, and January 3, 2024. There is an additional charge from January 17, 2024, involving the distribution of 50 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture.
- Brandy Cardenas stands charged with the distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamines on January 3, 2024, along with the distribution of 50 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture and the possession with an intention to distribute 500 grams or more of the same mixture on January 17, 2024. Cardenas also faces firearm-related charges for the possession of a Taurus G2C, a nine-millimeter semi-automatic pistol, in connection with her drug trafficking offenses and the plot to distribute methamphetamines.
- Kelton Withrow has been accused of distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamines on two distinct instances— December 19, 2023, and January 3, 2024. On January 17, 2024, Withrow was indicted for distributing 50 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture.
Outcomes from the Initial Court Appearances
Each of the accused underwent their respective initial court appearances: Cardenas was released on special conditions pending trial after her appearance in court on February 15, 2024. Williams made his initial appearance on March 27, 2024, and the court ordered him detained pending trial. Withrow appeared before a U.S. Magistrate Judge on April 9, 2024, and the court released him under specific conditions awaiting trial.
Expected Consequences
All three defendants, if found guilty, will compulsorily serve a minimum sentence of 10 years, and potentially they face a life sentence. The determination of any sentence will be based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines along with other statutory factors considered by a federal district court judge. It should be noted that the federal system does not provide parole options.
The Investigating and Prosecuting Authorities
The FBI Bowling Green Resident Agency, in collaboration with the Kentucky State Police and the Barren River Drug Task Force, are undertaking a thorough investigation into the charges. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. Yurchisin II, from the U.S. Attorney’s Bowling Green Branch Office, is the prosecutor tasked with handling this complex case.
It’s crucial to remember that an indictment constitutes an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
