LAKEVILLE/ASHLAND – U.S. Marshals served an active arrest warrant on a Magoffin County man, wanted on federal drug charges.
On Sunday, May 3, the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force executed and served a federal arrest warrant on Eddie A. McFarland, 34, at his residence on Rose Branch in the Lakeville community of Magoffin County, according to a press release from the Magoffin County Sheriff Department (MCSD), who initiated the original narcotics trafficking investigation.
MCSD reported that there were more than 30 controlled and undercover purchases conducted from McFarland at his residence.
“Cases like this take time, coordination, and persistence to ensure a solid investigation and successful federal prosecution,” Magoffin County Sheriff Bill Meade’s office released in their statement. “This was not an overnight process, but a well-built case from start to finish.”
McFarland and his alleged co-conspirator, Anthony D. Saylor, 38, were federally indicted on April 23, charged 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).
MCSD conducted a search of McFarland’s residence on March 29, identifying 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.
He is due in federal court in Ashland on May 13, at 1 p.m. for an initial appearance and arraignment.
McFarland is now being held for U.S. Marshals at the Boyd County Detention Center. At press time his initial appearance in court has not been scheduled, yet.
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.
