A federal grand jury in Bowling Green has issued four indictments on March 12, 2025, charging five individuals with methamphetamine trafficking and related firearms offenses. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, along with other law enforcement officials.
The first indictment charges Steven Marruquin, 52, from Henderson, Kentucky, with multiple drug-related offenses including distributing and possessing large quantities of methamphetamine on various dates in 2024 and 2025. Marruquin also faces firearm charges due to his previous felony conviction for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in 2015.
Brandy Powell, 46, also from Henderson, is charged alongside Marruquin for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Kane Bentley, 30; Deontay Black, 34; and Scott Stone, 36—all from Henderson—are named in separate indictments for their roles in distributing or intending to distribute significant amounts of methamphetamine throughout 2024 and early 2025.
Marruquin and Black appeared before a U.S. Magistrate Judge on March 19 and were ordered detained pending trial. Stone's initial court appearance was on March 17 where he was also detained. Bentley and Powell remain in state custody awaiting their federal court appearances.
Potential sentences vary significantly among the defendants if convicted: Marruquin could face a minimum of 20 years up to life imprisonment; Powell faces between five to forty years; Bentley could receive ten years to life; Black faces fifteen years to life; while Stone may be sentenced from five to forty years.
The cases are part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative by the Department of Justice targeting illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations through its Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Investigations are being conducted by several agencies including the FBI Owensboro Satellite Office, ATF Bowling Green Field Office, Kentucky State Police, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Henderson Police Department with additional support from local sheriff’s offices.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. Yurchisin II is prosecuting these cases.
"An indictment is merely an allegation," it was emphasized that "all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law."