Woman to serve nine years for drug trafficking

Mary Jane Epling, The Daily Independent, Ashland, Ky.
·2 min read

CATLETTSBURG An Ashland woman received a nine-year prison sentence on Thursday for her connection to trafficking drugs in the area.

Destinie Scott, 29, was indicted in June 2023 on charges of trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine and four counts of first-degree wanton endangerment following a previous indictment in May 2023 on similar allegations.

On Thursday in Boyd County Circuit Court, Scott pleaded guilty to charges associated with the June indictment. However, as part of her plea agreement, the charges of first-degree wanton endangerment were amended to endangering the welfare of a minor.

As Circuit Judge John Vincent read the charges aloud, the multiple counts of endangering the welfare of a minor related to four children in the care or custody of Scott.

In exchange for her plea, Scott was sentenced to eight years for trafficking fentanyl, nine years for trafficking more than 2 grams of methamphetamine and 12 months per each count of endangering the welfare of a minor.

Vincent approved the plea agreement which suggested Scott’s sentences run concurrently for a total of nine years.

As part of the formality in the entry of a guilty plea, Judge Vincent asked Scott if she had any questions to ask her counsel, Michael Curtis, to which she asked if she could be sent to prison within 60 days.

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Kierston Rosen said that issue was beyond the Commonwealth’s control, as her prison assignment and timeline fell under the Department of Correction’s scope.

“All we can do is make a suggestion,” Curtis clarified for Scott. Curtis later requested Judge Vincent add to his judgment that Scott would like to be assigned to Pewee Valley for better access to specific programs.

Pewee Valley is home to the Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women located in Shelby County.

According to the institution’s online profile, inmate programs include “evidence-based, life skills, promising practice and substance abuse programs to address a wide range of re-entry, supervision and incarceration needs.”

Vincent said he had no issue making the recommendation, but again, that was up to the Department of Corrections.

Scott’s initial case from May 2023, in which she was indicted as a co-defendant on charges of trafficking fentanyl and cocaine, appears to still be outstanding.