Former Lawrence County woman charged with federal drug offense

By Lilly Adkins

BSN Associate Editor

PIKEVILLE — A former Lawrence County woman was indicted in U.S. District Court on July 7 on drug-related offenses.

According to the indictment, on or about March 30, Shelly Collins, 33, of Louisville, possessed with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine.

Before Collins committed the offense charged in the indictment, she had a final conviction for a serious drug felony, namely, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, for which she served more than 12 months of imprisonment, according to the indictment.

In April, Collins was indicted on two counts of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and first-degree persistent felony offender in Lawrence County.

On March 30, Collins was allegedly in possession of 1,360 grams of methamphetamine with the intent to traffic along with fentanyl with the intent to traffic, the indictment says.

A press release issued by Louisa Police Chief Greg Fugitt on March 30 said Collins was observed in a vehicle that had been reported as stolen the previous month. After Patrolman Chase Kirk confirmed that it was the vehicle in question, he detained Collins for receiving stolen property, the release said.

During the course of his investigation, Kirk located three pounds of methamphetamine, four ounces of marijuana, one ounce of heroin, scales and small baggies, the indictment says.

At that time, Collins was arrested and charged with receiving stolen property $10,000 nor more; trafficking in heroin; first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, above two grams of methamphetamine; trafficking in marijuana; first-degree persistent felony offender; and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Collins was taken into custody and lodged in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Johnson County, where she has remained since being arrested on March 30.