Sukhjit Bains, Methamphetamine Trafficking, Kentucky 2024

A federal grand jury in Louisville, Kentucky, has returned an indictment charging two local men with trafficking in firearms, distribution of methamphetamine, and illegal possession of firearms.

Louisville, KY – Sukhjit Bains, 51, and Jonathan Ernspiker, 42, were charged with various crimes in connection to a methamphetamine trafficking operation in Louisville. Bains faces a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted.

According to the indictment, Sukhjit Bains was charged with two counts of trafficking in firearms, two counts of distribution of 50 grams or more of a mixture of methamphetamine, two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, two counts of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and one count of illegal possession of a machine gun, specifically, a 3D printed Glock type machinegun conversion device.

Bains was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had previously been convicted of the following felony offenses: possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on November 28, 2018, and wanton endangerment in the first degree, tampering with physical evidence, and two counts of possession of a controlled substance in the first degree-methamphetamine on March 28, 2017.

Jonathan Ernspiker was charged with trafficking in firearms, distribution of 50 grams or more of a mixture of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. Ernspiker faces a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted.

Ernspiker was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had previously been convicted of the following felony offenses: being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a controlled substance in the first degree methamphetamine on May 26, 2017, fleeing or evading police in the first degree, and manufacturing methamphetamine in the first degree on November 4, 2013, trafficking in a controlled substance in the first degree greater than two grams of methamphetamine on May 3, 2013, and criminal mischief in the first degree on October 1, 2008.

On January 10th, Ernspiker and on January 13th, Bains made an initial court appearances before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. The Court ordered the Ernspiker detained pending trial. Bains has a detention hearing scheduled for tomorrow, January 16th.

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