A Bowling Green man, Joshua O. Duncan, 40, has been sentenced to 18 years and 4 months in federal prison for drug trafficking and firearms offenses. The sentencing took place on August 26, 2025, following Duncan’s conviction for possessing with the intent to distribute over 4,600 grams of methamphetamine and more than 570 grams of fentanyl in Warren County, Kentucky. He was also convicted for possessing four handguns while being prohibited from owning firearms due to prior felony convictions.
Duncan’s previous convictions in Logan Circuit Court include first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance involving methamphetamine on August 21, 2018; first-degree trafficking in cocaine on August 27, 2012; and another conviction for first-degree trafficking in cocaine on March 11, 2010.
Following these offenses and his criminal history, the court imposed a sentence that also includes five years of supervised release after imprisonment. There is no parole available in the federal system.
“Joshua Duncan is a longtime drug dealer in and around Warren County that was given plenty of chances to reform his behavior. Unfortunately, he doubled down on his criminal ways, distributing even more methamphetamine and fentanyl into our community while armed with four handguns. Warren County is safer today because of this lengthy sentence—the culmination of fantastic work between local, state, and federal agents,” said U.S. Attorney Kyle Bumgarner.
ATF Special Agent in Charge John Nokes added: “We are proud to partner with the Warren County Drug Task Force and will continue to prioritize our investigative resources to focus on those who wish to deal in dangerous drugs and violence in Central Kentucky. This significant sentence is an example of what should be expected by our strong collaborative effort.”
Director Tommy Loving of the Bowling Green/Warren County Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (AHIDTA) Drug Task Force stated: “We are pleased to see justice served in the case of a significant drug trafficker selling poison in Bowling Green and Warren County. This case underscores the continued cooperation of law enforcement partners—local, state, and federal—working together to bring cases before the United States Attorney for prosecution and sentencing without the possibility of parole. The community can be assured that he will not be trafficking drugs for the next 18 years.”
The ATF Bowling Green Field Office and Bowling Green/Warren County AHIDTA Drug Task Force led the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Mark J. Yurchisin II prosecuted the case.
This conviction is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration as well as eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations through coordinated efforts such as Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
