KY man with torture chamber on his property indicted on federal drug, weapon charges
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- Federal indictment adds firearm and explosive charges to Scottie Shelton's case
- DEA agents discovered drugs, weapons, and poached wildlife on Shelton's property
- Court ruled Shelton poses risk; trial set for Nov. 10 and may lead to life sentence
A Kentucky man who had a “torture chamber” inside his residence was indicted on additional federal charges recently, according to court records.
Scottie Shelton, 53, was initially charged with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. The indictment, which was handed down Aug. 28, included two new charges of firearm possession in furtherance of drug trafficking and possession of an unregistered, destructive device, according to court documents.
Officers with the Drug Enforcement Administration visited Shelton’s property on Southern Oakes Road in Laurel Count Aug. 12. Court documents say Shelton permitted officers to search the property, on which they found a “cell-like room” that appeared to be a torture chamber.
Photos of the room were shown during a detention hearing Aug. 25 and included axes, cutting tools and handcuffs hanging on the wall, along with a collar device hanging in the center of the room, according to court documents.
There is no evidence the room was used to torture anyone, court documents say. However, an informant told local authorities and DEA agents they received photos from Shelton of a woman restrained inside the room around 2020.
The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office declined to comment on the case, citing an active investigation.
Additional searches of Shelton’s property uncovered guns, drugs, poached wildlife and a human bone. In total, investigators found 73 loaded guns, thousands of rounds of ammunition, four homemade silencers, two ballistic vests and a destructive device described as a live 12-gauge shotgun shell concealed in a section of galvanized pipe, according to court documents.
All of the weapons must be forfeited, according to court documents.
DEA Task Force Officer Jason Snelling testified Shelton had about 8 kilograms of methamphetamine he had been using or distributing, most of which was buried underground, according to court documents. About 6,000 pills of suspected oxycodone were also found on his property, along with drug paraphernalia.
The poached wildlife found on Shelton’s property included several deer skulls, mounted deer heads, turkey beards, a bobcat skull, a bear rug and a hawk head and feet. He is charged with 28 counts of illegal taking or pursuing deer or wild turkey and one count of illegal taking of wildlife at the state court level.
The perimeter of the metal shed where the evidence was found was protected with alarms and several booby traps armed with shotgun shells, according to court documents.
Shelton was arraigned in federal court Tuesday. Records indicate his jury trial is scheduled for Nov. 10 and expected to last two days.
He could face up to life in prison for the charges, according to court documents.
Shelton is remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service after the court ruled Shelton poses a safety risk to the community, according to court records.
