ASHEVILLE, N.C. – A major drug trafficker responsible for distributing large quantities of
methamphetamine in and around Burke County was sentenced to 25 years in prison today,
announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. In addition to
the prison term imposed, Gregory Travis Gowan, 53, of Morganton, N.C., was ordered to serve
five years under court supervision upon completion of his prison sentence.
Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Division of the Drug
Enforcement Administration (DEA), which oversees the Charlotte District Office, and Sheriff
Banks Hinceman of the Burke County Sheriff’s Office join U.S. Attorney King in making
today’s announcement.
According to today’s sentencing hearing and documents filed with the court, in February 2022,
law enforcement investigating Gowan’s drug trafficking activities executed search warrants at
Gowan’s residence and vehicle in Burke County. Law enforcement seized over $100,000 from
Gowan’s residence and vehicle, as well as a quantity of methamphetamine, and items consistent
with drug distribution. Subsequently, law enforcement executed additional search warrants at
Gowan’s garage and residence, and more drugs and cash were seized. Over the course of the
investigation, law enforcement determined that Gowan was responsible for trafficking more than
60 kilograms of methamphetamine in Burke County and was a major source of supply for local
dealers.
On August 21, 2024, Gowan pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute
methamphetamine and two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Gowan is currently in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the Federal
Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the DEA and the Burke County
Sheriff’s Office for their investigation of the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Hess of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville prosecuted
the case.
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