Louisville Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Possession with Intent to Distribute Narcotics and Firearm Offenses

Louisville, KY - A Louisville man was sentenced on August 7, 2026, to 15 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine, as well possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and illegal possession of a machinegun.

U.S. Attorney Kyle Bumgarner of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge John Nokes of the ATF Louisville Field Division, and Chief Paul Humphrey of the Louisville Metro Police Department made the announcement.

Charles Mills, 33, of Louisville, Kentucky, was sentenced to 15 years in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine, as well as possession of firearm by a prohibited person and illegal possession of a machinegun. Additionally, Mills was sentenced to an enhancement for being an Armed Career Criminal, and an enhancement for having previously been convicted of a serious drug felony offense.

On November 12, 2024, detectives with Louisville Metro Police Department attempted to arrest Mills on a warrant for trafficking methamphetamine and marijuana. Mills fled on foot and, after a short foot chase, was arrested. Detectives located a loaded Glock pistol concealed in his waistband. Additionally, Mills was found to be in possession of over 50 grams of methamphetamine, a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, and a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine.

After arresting Mills, detectives executed a search warrant at his residence and located three firearms, one of which was equipped with a machinegun conversion device.

At the time of this arrest, Mills had previously been convicted of multiple felonies that prohibited him from being in possession of a firearm, including complicity to robbery in the first degree (nine counts), complicity to burglary in the first degree (four counts), possession of a firearm by convicted felon, illegal possession of a controlled substance, marijuana, while in possession of a firearm, and complicity to trafficking in a controlled substance in the first degree, schedule II, methamphetamine, over two grams.

United States Attorney Kyle Bumgarner stated, "With nine prior armed robbery convictions and four prior burglary convictions, Mills had absolutely no business being in possession of a firearm. And still, after serving previous sentences for those crimes, Mills chose to return to the streets of Louisville and sell methamphetamine, all while armed with a Glock pistol in his waistband. Mills' conduct and criminal history earned him every day of the 15-year sentence he will now serve."

"Drug dealers with guns are violent criminals who pose an increased threat to the safety of our communities," stated ATF Special Agent in Charge John Nokes of the Louisville Field Division. "It's apparent that Mills did not learn from his past arrests and convictions so he will now serve the next 15 years in federal prison. ATF will continue to work alongside our local law enforcement partners to aggressively investigate, arrest and pursue prosecution of these offenders."

Chief Paul Humphrey of the Louisville Metro Police Department stated, "This sentence reflects the serious consequences that come with trafficking drugs while illegally possessing firearms. I'm proud of the work by our LMPD detectives and grateful for our partnership with ATF and the U.S. Attorney's Office. Working together, we will continue holding dangerous criminals accountable."

There is no parole in the federal system.

The case was investigated by the ATF Louisville Field Division and the Louisville Metro Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Lantz prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

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