Gary R. Rowe, Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Kentucky 2023

ASHLAND, KY – Gary R. Rowe, 49, of Ashland, is facing over two decades behind bars after being sentenced to 262 months in federal prison Monday for a sprawling drug operation fueled by firearms. U.S. District Judge David Bunning handed down the hefty sentence, effectively removing a significant player in Boyd County’s narcotics trade.

Rowe pleaded guilty last November to a litany of charges, including two counts of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, three counts of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and one count of possessing 10 grams or more of the fentanyl analogue fluorofentanyl. He also admitted to possession of methamphetamine under 50 grams. But the charges didn’t stop at drugs. Rowe was also convicted on two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of his drug crimes – a designation that significantly increased his sentencing exposure.

The investigation, spearheaded by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) and the Northeast Kentucky Drug Task Force, began in September 2021 when authorities received credible information about Rowe’s large-scale narcotics distribution network within Boyd County. The subsequent investigation yielded a substantial haul: 163 grams of methamphetamine, 165 grams of fluorofentanyl, and 91 grams of fentanyl. Two firearms were also seized, directly linking Rowe’s drug dealing to illegal weapons.

This isn’t Rowe’s first rodeo with the law. Prosecutors successfully argued that Rowe qualifies as both an Armed Career Criminal and a Career Offender, highlighting a lengthy criminal history. Since 2001, Rowe has amassed eight prior convictions related to trafficking controlled substances. The sheer volume of past offenses played a critical role in securing the maximum sentence allowed under federal guidelines.

Under federal law, Rowe will be required to serve at least 85 percent of his 262-month sentence. Following his release, he will be subjected to eight years of supervised release by the U.S. Probation Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Rieker. The sentence was jointly announced by U.S. Attorney Carlton S. Shier IV for the Eastern District of Kentucky and Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Louisville Field Division.

The ATF and the Northeast Kentucky Drug Task Force continue to target individuals involved in the illegal drug trade, particularly those who choose to arm themselves while peddling poison in our communities. This case serves as a stark reminder that those who profit from the misery of others, and endanger public safety through the use of firearms, will face the full force of federal law.

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