Thelma Man indicted by federal grand jury

By Roberta Cantrell
BSN Editor

Brian “Butterbean” Charles, 43, of Thelma, was indicted Thursday, June 23, by a federal grand jury in London. He is charged with possession of more than 500 grams of meth and fentanyl with the intent to distribute, using a firearm in a drug trafficking crime, and felon in possession of a firearm.

The charges stem from a raid on Charles’ home on July 7, during which Kentucky State Police found 3 lbs. of meth, 28 grams of fentanyl and nine weapons.

The possession with intent and using a firearm charges, each carry potential life sentences, while the felon in possession of a firearm charge carries a maximum sentence of 15 years.

Charles is currently being held in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Paintsville. He is scheduled to appear in Ashland federal court on Friday, Aug. 21.