Louisville, KY – A Jefferson County, Kentucky, man was sentenced last week to 31 years and 6 months in federal prison for multiple drug and firearm offenses. U.S. Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner of the Western District of Kentucky, Acting Special Agent in Charge Olivia Olson of the FBI Louisville Field Office, and Chief Paul l. Humphrey of the Louisville Metro Police Department made the announcement.According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, from January 1, 2021, through August 29, 2023, Thomas Gunter, conspired with other individuals to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine and over 400 grams of fentanyl. Gunter was further convicted of distributing over 50 grams of methamphetamine on ten dates from March through June of 2023; possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on June 22, 2023; possessing with the intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine on August 29, 2023; and possessing a firearm with the knowledge that he was prohibited from doing so due having been previously convicted of felonies on three occasions. The jury also found that Gunter had previously been convicted of the following serious violent felony.On December 10, 2009, in Floyd County Superior Court, New Albany, Indiana, Gunter was convicted of voluntary manslaughter. United States Attorney Kyle Bumgarner stated, “Gunter is among the most dangerous criminals in the Louisville metropolitan area. After serving time for a previous homicide, he returned to the streets of Louisville and operated a significant drug trafficking ring, pushing fentanyl and methamphetamine onto our streets. He was often armed with a handgun while running his illicit business. Due to exceptional investigative work by the FBI and LMPD, our Office secured a multi-count conviction against Gunter last summer after a weeklong trial. Just days ago, our Office advocated for the maximum sentence and convinced the Court to send Gunter away for more than three decades. Louisville is safer because this convicted killer is no longer a part of our community.”Special Agent Olivia Olson stated, “The sentencing of Mr. Gunter ensures that one of Louisville’s most dangerous criminals is removed from our streets for decades to come. He needlessly put innocent lives at risk by trafficking large amounts of narcotics and possessing firearms as a previously convicted felon. This case highlights the FBI’s commitment to combatting violent criminals and gangs and restoring safety to our communities.”Chief Paul L. Humphrey stated, “Last week’s sentencing demonstrates the power of our law enforcement partnerships and shows that we have zero tolerance for violent and dangerous criminals. Anyone who brings drugs into our community should be clear about the consequences: We will find you and we will hold you accountable for your actions.”There is no parole in the federal system.The FBI and LMPD investigated the case.Assistant United States Attorneys Josh Porter and Frank Dahl are prosecuting the case with assistance from paralegal Adela Alic.This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative. The HSTF is a United States government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, transnational gangs, and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) worldwide. This initiative identifies TCOs engaged in a wide range of criminal schemes that violate federal law, while dismantling cross-border human smuggling and trafficking networks that fuel violence and instability that threatens the safety and security of the United States and its global partners. It also places a particular emphasis on criminal offenses involving children and ensures the use of all available law enforcement tools to prosecute offenders and/or facilitate the removal of criminal aliens from the United States…
Source: U.S. Department of Justice