A Lexington man is accused of selling large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl — along with loaded firearms — out of his apartment during a series of controlled buys late last year and earlier this month, according to a federal criminal complaint filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court. Jeremy Vernell Cowan, 34, is charged by complaint with distributing methamphetamine after investigators say he sold more than half a pound of the drug to a confidential informant across multiple transactions in December and January. The complaint, filed Jan. 14 and assigned to U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew A. Stinnett, also alleges Cowan sold guns during some of the drug deals, despite having prior felony convictions that bar him from possessing firearms. According to an affidavit sworn by an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the investigation began after law enforcement received information that Cowan was distributing drugs and selling firearms in Lexington. Agents with ATF and the Kentucky State Police then arranged a series of controlled purchases using a confidential informant. The first buy took place Dec. 17, 2025, inside an apartment on Lansill Road, where Cowan allegedly exchanged about $800 for roughly four ounces of methamphetamine. During that same transaction, investigators say Cowan sold a loaded .25-caliber pistol for an additional $300 and also gave the informant two small packages of suspected fentanyl. Laboratory testing later confirmed the methamphetamine weighed about 113 grams. A second controlled purchase followed on Dec. 30, when Cowan allegedly sold an ounce of suspected fentanyl, a small amount of marijuana, and a Ruger 10/22 rifle. Investigators say the rifle had been modified into a short-barreled weapon regulated under federal law and was loaded at the time of sale. The informant also observed several pounds of suspected marijuana inside the apartment, according to the affidavit. The final controlled buy occurred Jan. 12, 2026. Investigators say Cowan sold approximately six ounces of methamphetamine — about 178 grams — for roughly $1,620 in official buy money. That transaction was captured on audio and video recording, and agents recovered the drugs immediately afterward. The affidavit states that Cowan has prior felony convictions in Fayette County, including a first-degree trafficking conviction, making it illegal for him to possess firearms or ammunition. Investigators also determined the guns sold during the transactions were manufactured outside Kentucky, establishing federal jurisdiction. No court appearance has yet been scheduled, and Cowan has not entered a plea. A criminal complaint is a charging document used to establish probable cause and does not represent a finding of guilt. The post Lexington man accused of selling meth, fentanyl and loaded guns from apartment, feds say appeared first on The Lexington Times. ...read more read less