Three People Federally Indicted in Bowling Green for Methamphetamine Trafficking Offenses

Bowling Green, KY – A federal grand jury in Bowling Green, Kentucky, returned an indictment on February 14, 2024, charging three people in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy and other related methamphetamine trafficking offenses. One of the three was charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Stansbury of the FBI Louisville Field Office, Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. of the Kentucky State Police, and Director Ron Lafferty of the Barren River Drug Task Force made the announcement.

According to the indictment, the following three people were each charged with conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute, and distribute, over 500 grams of a methamphetamine mixture between December 9, 2023, and January 18, 2024, in Warren County, Kentucky:

Trey Williams, 27, of Tompkinsville, Kentucky,

Brandy Cardenas, 25, of Bowling Green, Kentucky, and

Kelton Withrow, 28, of Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Each defendant also faces the following additional charges.

Trey Williams was charged with aiding and abetting in the distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on December 19, 2023, and January 3, 2024. Williams was also charged with aiding and abetting the distribution of 50 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture on January 17, 2024.

Brandy Cardenas was charged with distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on January 3, 2024, distributing 50 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture on January 17, 2024, and possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture on January 17, 2024. Cardenas was also charged with possessing a Taurus G2C, nine-millimeter semiautomatic pistol, in furtherance of her drug trafficking and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Kelton Withrow was charged with two counts of distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on December 19, 2023, and January 3, 2024. Withrow was also charged with distributing 50 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture on January 17, 2024.

Cardenas made her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky on February 15, 2024, and the Court ordered her released on special conditions pending trial. 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 ordered him released under special conditions pending trial.

All three defendants face 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 U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

There is no parole in the federal system.

The FBI Bowling Green Resident Agency, the Kentucky State Police, and the Barren River Drug Task Force are investigating the case.

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

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

x x x