Federal raid of Louisville liquor store connected to indictment of 2 men on drug, gun charges

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A federal grand jury indicted two Louisville men accused of trafficking guns and drugs, and their cases are connected to a recent law enforcement raid at a Preston Highway liquor store.

Last week, Liquor Palace 5 at Preston Highway and East Indiana Trail received a visit from Louisville Metro Police officers and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Fire. Sukhjit Bains, 51, and Jonathan Ernspiker, 42, both face federal charges, and a spokesperson for the ATF said the Jan. 10 raid at Liquor Palace 5 in the Newburg neighborhood is connected to their indictment. Bains and Ernspiker's indictment was sealed on January 8th and then unsealed on January 10th, the day of the raid. There's a shattered door on the left side of the business after the raid.

In a 2004 filing with Kentucky Secretary of State's Office, Bains was listed as the owner of a business named "LIQUOUR PALACE 5, INC." A 2024 filing from the same business shows a new owner, who hasn't replied to a request for comment Wednesday.

Bains and Ernspiker are accused of trafficking guns and meth along with being convicted felons with guns. Bains is also accused of illegally having a 3D printed device that turns a semi-automatic weapon into a machine gun.

"On January 10, 2025, ATF Louisville Division, assisted by LMPD and other law enforcement agencies, conducted a law enforcement operation involving multiple court authorized warrants," ATF spokesperson Jennifer Hicks said in a statement. "We are not able to comment on active investigations."

On Wednesday, Louisville Metro ABC said the store's license had been suspended.

"Louisville Metro ABC has issued an Emergency Suspension Order for the local ABC license for Liquor Palace 5 at 5601 Preston Highway," Brandon Bowden with Louisville Metro ABC said in a written statement. "This action follows a multi-agency law enforcement operation led by the ATF Louisville Division on January 10, 2025. Louisville Metro ABC is committed to maintaining public safety and ensuring compliance with alcohol regulations. We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners as this investigation progresses."

Both are prohibited from having a gun because they're convicted felons. Both are also charged with distributing 50 grams or more of meth.

If convicted, both Bains and Ernspiker could be sentenced up to life in prison. Their attorneys aren't commenting.

ATF is leading the investigation, but DEA, IRS Criminal Investigation and LMPD are also working on the case.

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