Kevil Females Arrested On Mushroom Trafficking Charges

The McCracken County Sheriff Department Drug Division began actively investigating an influx in Mushrooms to this area on July 30, 2009.

Over the past month sheriff detectives have conducted numerous covert operations for the purpose of gaining intelligence on the mushrooms origin.

Approximately 2 weeks ago detectives attention became focused on who was identified as being Kelsey L. Burchett, 19 years of age of Kevil. Detectives were able to determine that Burchett was making plans to travel out of town and bring back approximately 1/2 pound of Mushrooms, valued at $1600.00. Detectives were successful in narrowing the time frame that the mushrooms were to arrive to the evening of September 11, 2009. Detectives spent several hours conducting surveillance on a parking lot in the area of the Kentucky Oaks Mall. An undercover agent was prepared to purchase the Mushrooms upon Burchett's arrival as it had been discussed several times with the agent prior to and on 09/11/09. After Burchett arrived on the parking lot detectives video taped her exit the vehicle, a 1998 Maroon Mitsubishi passenger car, and obtain an approximate gallon size bag of mushrooms out of the truck of the vehicle and returned to the passengers compartment. Once back inside the vehicle Burchett conducted a recorded transaction with the under cover agent. Upon completion of the deal detectives approached and apprehended Burchett without incident. A search of the vehicle revealed $1600.00 of pre-copied buy money that had been provided for the deal. Burchett was arrested and transported to the McCracken County Sheriff Department where she was interviewed by detectives.

During the course of the investigation detectives were also made aware of an individual who was identified as being Shaina B. Skinner, also of Kevil. Detectives had determined as a result of the investigation that both Burchett and Skinner were responsible for Mushrooms that were sold that subsequently ended up at the party in Kevil on July 30, 2009 more specifically 240 Neal Drive.

Skinner was located at a family members residence and transported to the Sheriff's Department where she was interviewed by detectives. Skinner admitted that they had sold Mushrooms for the purpose of obtaining money to go out of town on. Both Skinner and Burchett were arrested and transported to the McCracken County Sheriff Department.

"Based on this investigation we have no reason to believe there are any additional local suspects at large that were involved in distributing the Mushrooms in this case. Our investigation will continue and will now focus on working with authorities in other jurisdictions to apprehend the criminal element that has provided this poison to our area. " Det. Sgt. Matt Carter

ARRESTED: Burchett, Kelsey L. 19 years of age

Of Foster Drive

CHARGES: Trafficking In A Controlled Substance In The Second Degree 1st Offense (Mushrooms) X's 2 Counts

ARRESTED: Skinner, Shaina B. 19 years of age

Of Rice Springs Rd.

CHARGES: Trafficking In A Controlled Substance In The Second Degree 1st Offense (Mushrooms)

Trafficking in a controlled substance in the second degree 1st offense is a Class D Felony and punishable up to 5 years in prison.

* NOTE: ATTACHED IS A PHOTO OF THE MUSHROOMS SEIZED IN THIS CASE. The mushrooms weighed approximately 235 grams (8.2 ounces).

End Of Release

Det. Sgt. Matt Carter

McCracken County Sheriff Department Drug Division