OPD: Overdose complaint leads to arrest of Owensboro man on several trafficking charges 

A response to a call about an overdose ended with the seizure of multiple firearms and drugs along with the arrest of a 25-year-old Owensboro man, according to the Owensboro Police Department.

According to a release, at 8:53 p.m. Friday officers responded to the 1700 block of Locke Avenue for an overdose complaint regarding an adult male subject. Officers made contact with the subject — later identified as Eric Markwell — at his residence and observed evidence of illegal drug activity in the residence, per the release.

“Officers attempted to place the subject into custody, at which time the subject resisted and after a short struggle officers were able to place the subject into handcuffs. The subject attempted to escape the officer’s custody from the residence before being placed into a police cruiser,” according to the release. 

Markwell was transported to Owensboro Health Regional Hospital for medical clearance. 

According to the release, after securing Markwell, officers investigated the evidence of illegal drug activity.

“Detectives obtained a search warrant for the residence which resulted in the seizure of a Draco pistol, a Glock firearm with an extended magazine, over 40 oxycontin pills, several baggies of suspected cocaine, various amounts of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia,” according to the release.

Markwell was arrested and transported to the Daviess County Detention Center on the following charges, according to OPD: 

• Trafficking in Controlled Substance, 1^st Degree, 2^nd or Greater Offense – (Less than 10 Dosage Units Opiates) (Enhancement) 

• Trafficking in Controlled Substance, 1^st Degree, 1^st Offense (Greater than or Equal to 4 Grams Cocaine) (Enhancement) 

• Trafficking in Marijuana (Less than 8 Ounces) 1^st Offense (Enhancement) 

• Possession of Handgun by Convicted Felon 

• Possession of Controlled Substance, 1^st Degree, 1^st Offense Hydrocodone (Enhancement) 

• Escape 3^rd Degree (Attempt) 

• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia 

• Resisting Arrest 

Markwell Jr has previously been charged with the following charges, according to OPD:

• Trafficking Controlled Substance Within 1,000 Feet of School 

• Trafficking in Controlled Substance, 1^st Degree, 1^st Offense (Greater or Equal to 10 Dosage Units Opiates) 

• Trafficking in Controlled Substance 2^nd Degree, 1^st Offense (Greater or Equal to 10 Dosage Units Hallucinogen) 

• Trafficking in Controlled Substance, 3^rd Degree, 1^st Offense (Greater or Equal to 20 but Less or Equal to 120 Dosage Units Drug Unspecified) 

• Trafficking in Controlled Substance, 1^st Degree, 1^st Offense (Less than 10 Dosage Units Drug Unspecified Scheduled 1 & 2) 

• Possession of Controlled Substance 1^st Degree 1^st Offense (Drug Unspecified) 

• Trafficking in Marijuana (8 Ounces to Less than 5 Pounds) 1^st Offense (2 Counts) 

• Wanton Endangerment 1^st Degree 

• Probation Violation (For Felony Offense) 

• Tampering with Physical Evidence 

• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia 

Anyone with additional information can call OPD at 270-687-8888, or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at 270-687-8484.