JULY 30, 2026 – written by WADE QUEEN
BRIAN ‘BUTTERBEAN” CHARLES.
A Johnson County, Kentucky man is facing federal methamphetamine and fentanyl drug trafficking charges; who has been previously convicted in two counties on felony drug charges.
According to court documents, on Thursday July 23, a federal grand jury in U.S. District Court in London, KY. in Laurel County, indicted Brian “Butterbean” Charles, 43, of Lively Lane, Thelma, on charges of possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and a mixture containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to the indictment in the case, if convicted, Brian Charles faces between 10 years and life in prison on the possession charge, between five years and life on the charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense and a maximum of 15 years in prison on the charge of possessing a firearm while being a convicted felon.
According to a citation in the case, on Tuesday July 7, 2026, troopers and detectives with the Kentucky State Police Drug Enforcement/Special Investigations East Branch executed a search warrant at Brian Charles’ residence.
During the search, the citation said, the officers found approximately 3 pounds of a substance believed to be methamphetamine, approximately 28 grams of a substance suspected to be fentanyl, eight handguns, a long gun and various drug paraphernalia.
