Paducah woman sentenced to 25 years in prison for fentanyl trafficking
FOX23 News at 9 p.m.
PADUCAH, Ky., (KBSI) — A Paducah woman has been sentenced to 25 years in prison following multiple drug trafficking convictions stemming from a series of investigations by the Paducah Police Department and the McCracken County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.
According to police, Sheila Shumpert pleaded guilty last week in six separate cases involving the trafficking of fentanyl. The charges resulted from investigations conducted in 2022 and 2024, during which authorities seized thousands of fentanyl pills.
In 2022, investigators recovered more than 8,000 fentanyl pills linked to Shumpert. In 2024, they seized approximately 3,500 more in a separate case. Under the terms of her sentence, Shumpert must serve at least half of her 25-year prison term before becoming eligible for release.
Paducah Police Chief Brian Laird said the conviction reflects ongoing collaboration between law enforcement and prosecutors to combat the flow of dangerous drugs in western Kentucky.
“This case is a great example of what can be accomplished when law enforcement and prosecutors work side by side toward the common goal of protecting our citizens,” Laird said. “Those who are dealing drugs in our community should take notice of the long prison sentences being handed out.”
Officials said the partnership between the Paducah Police Department and the McCracken County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office remains central to efforts to reduce drug trafficking in the region.
Community members are encouraged to assist in those efforts by reporting suspected drug activity to West Kentucky Crime Stoppers at 270-443-TELL or by submitting a tip online at Submit a Tip.
