A man from Crofton, Kentucky, Earl Ray Cook, Jr., has been sentenced to six years and five months in federal prison for possessing a firearm illegally. The sentence follows his previous felony convictions. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Acting Special Agent in Charge A.J. Gibes of the ATF Louisville Field Division, and Sheriff Tyler DeArmond of the Christian County Sheriff’s Office.
Court documents reveal that Cook, aged 27, was found with a Taurus model G3C 9mm handgun and ammunition on January 29, 2024, in Christian County, Kentucky. Due to his past felony convictions, he was prohibited from possessing firearms.
Cook's criminal history includes several offenses: on June 8, 2016, he was convicted in Christian Circuit Court for first-degree possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia while armed; on February 12, 2018, he faced charges in Daviess Circuit Court for identity theft without consent, theft of a motor vehicle registration plate or renewal decal, and first-degree possession of methamphetamine; and on July 28, 2022, he was convicted again in Daviess Circuit Court for third-degree assault and first-degree fleeing or evading police.
The investigation into this case was conducted by the ATF Bowling Green Field Office and the Christian County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth A. Hancock prosecuted the case as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities.
This sentencing is part of a broader strategy launched by the Department on May 26, 2021. The strategy aims to strengthen PSN by fostering trust within communities, supporting community-based violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.
There is no parole available in the federal system.
