LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Louisville man was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after conspiring to sell firearms and methamphetamine to a confidential law enforcement source.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, 42-year-old Jonathan Ernspiker was charged with firearms trafficking, distribution of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and conspiring to sell 18 firearms and 58 grams of meth on Nov. 20, 2024.
“Ernspiker’s 15-year sentence demonstrates that the United States Attorney’s Office and ATF have absolutely no tolerance for drug trafficking and illegal firearms trafficking," U.S. Attorney Kyle Bumgarner said in a news release. "Drug trafficking and illegal firearms trafficking significantly contribute to the violence plaguing our community. Hopefully, Ernspiker’s sentence sends a strong deterrent message to others engaged in or contemplating engaging in similar conduct.”
On Jan. 10, 2025, Liquor Palace 5 — located at Preston Highway and East Indian Trail — was visited by Louisville Metro Police officers and agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Both Ernspiker and 51-year-old Sukhjit Bains faced federal charges connected to the investigation, and an ATF spokesperson confirmed the raid at the Newburg-area liquor store was tied to their indictment.
Prosecutors accused Bains and Ernspiker of trafficking guns and methamphetamine, as well as being convicted felons in possession of firearms.
Bains was additionally accused of illegally possessing a 3D-printed device capable of converting a semi-automatic weapon into a machine gun.
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