Charleston man sentenced back to prison on drug, gun charges

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — A Charleston man is headed back to federal prison for narcotics and firearms charges.

Ervin D. Boyce, 43, was sentenced to 180 months (15 years) in federal prison Wednesday by United States District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr. after probation officers found drugs and firearm in his residence.

According to a news release, Boyce had been released from federal prison in May 2020 after serving sentences for distributing cocaine and unlawful possession of a firearm. Just several months into his term of supervised release, the United States Probation Office conducted a search of Boyce’s apartment and discovered over one pound of methamphetamine and a loaded pistol.

During his guilty plea hearing in April, Boyce admitted that he possessed these items and that he intended to distribute the methamphetamine.

After serving his new 15-year sentence, Boyce will again be placed on supervised release for a period of three years.

The case was investigated by the United States Probation Office and Assistant United States Attorney Jack Koester handled the prosecution for the government.