ASHLAND – Two Magoffin men were federally indicted last week on drug distribution charges.
On April 23, a federal grand jury charged Eddie A. McFarland, 34, and Anthony D. Saylor, 38, as follows:
– McFarland with conspiracy to distribute Schedule II controlled substances fentanyl (Count 1), possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense (Count 2), distribution of Schedule II controlled substances methamphetamine and fentanyl (Count 4), and distribution of Schedule II controlled substance fentanyl (Count 6);
– Saylor with conspiracy to distribute Schedule II controlled substance methamphetamine and fentanyl (Count 1), distribution of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine (Count 3), distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (Count 5), distribution of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine (Counts 7 & 8), possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine (Count 9), and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (Count 10).
According to the federal indictment, between June 2025 through March 29, 2026, McFarland and Saylor allegedly conspired together and with others to knowingly and intentionally distribute substances, including methamphetamine and a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl. The other charges match up with dates of arrests by the Magoffin County Sheriff Department and other aspects of their investigation, including multiple undercover drug transactions.
Also in the indictment, the two are required to forfeit any property used to facilitate any of the violations, with 16 different firearms and all associated ammunition and accessories seized from McFarland’s Lakeville home during a search executed by the Magoffin County Sheriff Department (MCSD) on March 29.
In the original police report from that search, the MCSD identified what they called a “drug trafficking organization,” with warrants put out for McFarland and Saylor. Saylor was arrested the next day and taken to the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center, where he remains at press time. His federal arraignment is set for U.S. District Court in Ashland on May 13 at 1 p.m.
McFarland has not been apprehended as of press time.
Counts 1, 4 and 6 of the federal indictment carry not more than 20 years imprisonment, not more than $1 million, and at least 3 years supervised release. If they have a prior felony drug offense, those charges carry not more than 30 years imprisonment, not more than $2 million fine, and at least 6 years supervised release.
Count 2 carries not less than 5 years nor more than life imprisonment, to be served consecutive to any term of imprisonment imposed for any other offense, not more than a $250,000 fine and not more than 5 years supervised release.
Counts 3, 7, 8, 9 and10 carry not less than 5 years and not more than 40 years imprisonment, not more than a $5 million fine, and at least 4 years supervised release, but if there is a prior serious drug felony conviction, that increases to not less than 10 years nor more than life imprisonment, not more than an $8 million fine, and at least 8 years supervised release.
County 5 carries a term of not less than 10 years nor more than life imprisonment, not more than a $10 million fine, and at least 5 years supervised release, but increases to not less than 15 years nor more than life imprisonment, not more than a $20 million fine and at least 10 years supervised release if there is a prior serious drug felony conviction.
Editor’s Note: The indictment or charge of a person by a grand jury or otherwise is an accusation only and that person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
