KY man accused of torture chamber in home facing more illegal wildlife charges
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Investigators found more illegally obtained wildlife at Scottie Shelton’s property.
- Shelton now faces four new state wildlife charges tied to mounted animal parts.
- Federal case involves meth trafficking, a torture chamber, and human remains.
A Kentucky man accused of having a torture chamber in his home is facing additional illegal possession of wildlife charges after investigators found more wildlife during a second search of his property, according to court documents.
Investigators searched 53-year-old Scottie Shelton’s home on Southern Oakes Road in Laurel County again Wednesday with a search warrant. Court documents say they found mounted deer heads, a bear rug and three turkey beards that were not legally hunted.
The mounted deer heads and turkey beards appeared to be freshly harvested, according to court documents.
Shelton was charged with four counts of illegal taking or pursuing deer or wild turkey, according to court records. Shelton was previously charged with 24 counts of illegal taking or pursuing deer or wild turkey and one count of illegal taking of wildlife after investigators searched his property on Aug. 12 and found several deer skulls, turkey beards, a bobcat skull, a hawk head and feet and a freshly harvested buck.
Shelton is scheduled to be arraigned in Laurel District Court on Sept. 19.
Shelton is also charged federally with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Court documents say officers with the Drug Enforcement Administration were investigating Shelton and found a “cell-like room” that appeared to be a torture chamber, a human bone and a large amount of drugs in his home.
Court documents say local authorities were first informed about the room about five years ago. An informant told the DEA agents they received photos from Shelton of a woman restrained inside the room around 2020, and the informant passed along the information to local authorities.
The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office and the DEA declined to comment on the case, citing an active investigation. Shelton’s attorney did not respond to a request for comment.
Shelton’s next scheduled federal hearing is a preliminary and detention hearing on Aug. 25.
