Cheyenne Man Pleads Not Guilty to Federal Drug and Gun Charges

A Cheyenne man has pleaded not guilty to federal drug and gun charges.

Troy Michael Painter, 26, was indicted last month on charges of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm.

According to a criminal complaint, Painter was pulled over on March 2 in the area of S. Greeley Highway and Julianna Road for a vehicle registration violation.

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A subsequent search of Painter's vehicle led to the discovery of approximately 23 grams of blue Oxy 30 pills (suspected fentanyl pills), a suspected Xanax pill, and suspected THC wax, along with used drug paraphernalia.

During a custodial interview, Painter reportedly admitted to being a user and distributor of fentanyl pills and said that he bought the pills from a supplier in Colorado on a weekly basis.

Painter was arrested and the following day, March 3, a search warrant was executed at his apartment in which two firearms -- a Sig Sauer P365 9mm handgun and a Stevens 12-gauge shotgun -- suspected controlled substances, packaging material, and drug paraphernalia were seized.

Painter's trial has been set for June 27.

If convicted, Painter could face five to 50 years in prison, four years to a lifetime of supervised release, and up to $5.25 million in fines.