INDIANAPOLIS – William Henry Cook, a 27-year-old resident of Muncie, Indiana, has been sentenced to 11 years in federal prison following his guilty plea to charges of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
In February 2023, law enforcement began investigating Cook for selling fentanyl from his Muncie residence. A search warrant executed on March 2, 2023, at Cook’s home led to the discovery of 2,999 counterfeit pills, confirmed to contain 341.01 grams of fentanyl. Additionally, officers found about $13,614 in cash and five firearms, including a stolen Sig Sauer 9 mm handgun, originally belonging to an Indiana State Police trooper.
Cook, who had a prior felony conviction in 2018 for robbery resulting in bodily injury, admitted in an interview to selling counterfeit fentanyl pills to up to ten people daily.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers emphasized the danger posed by fentanyl dealers and reiterated the commitment of his office, alongside the DEA and Indiana State Police, to combat the ongoing substance use disorder epidemic.
DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Gannon expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts in prosecuting this case. Indiana State Police Captain Ron Galaviz vowed continued support in combating drug trafficking.
The case was investigated by the DEA and Indiana State Police, with U.S. District Court Judge Richard L. Young imposing the sentence. Post-release, Cook will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for five years.