Published: June 15, 2009 11:49 pm      

3 charged in drug conspiracy enter pleas of guilty

Ashland — Three Ashland residents accused of conspiring with one another to smuggle more than $80,000 worth of heroin from Detroit entered guilty pleas in federal court on Monday.

Jermal Parker, 21, of the 300 block of Harrison Street; Erwin Scott Jr., 28, of the 2000 block of Belmont Street; and Julie Hobbs, 28, of the 4300 block of Gartin Avenue, all pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Ashland to conspiracy to possess, with intent to distribute, 100 grams or more of heroin.

All three defendants were arrested April 5 after Boyd County sheriff’s deputies intercepted a shipment of heroin that had been brought to Ashland by Parker via Greyhound bus. The cache weighed a little more than 180 grams and had an estimated street value of $80,800.

Parker admitted in court on Monday he had boarded a bus in Detroit with the heroin in his possession. His intent, he told Judge David L. Bunning, was to sell it to Scott.

Scott and Hobbs both admitted they picked up Parker at the Ashland Transportation Center after the bus arrived there. Scott acknowledged his plan was to resell the heroin to others.

Hobbs admitted she drove Scott in her car to the transportation center to pick up Parker. The three, along with a 17-year-old girl who had traveled from Detroit with Parker, were arrested by sheriff’s deputies as they were leaving the center.

Hobbs told Bunning she did not receive any drugs or money for her role in the conspiracy, but she was to have received a quantity of heroin for her personal use.

Scott and Hobbs told Bunning they were addicts. Hobbs said she had received treatment for drug dependency while in jail and had been attending Narcotics Anonymous meetings since being released on bond. Scott said he had quit “cold turkey” while in custody.

“Sometimes, that’s the best way,” Bunning replied.

Under federal sentencing guidelines, Scott faces a minimum 10-year prison sentence because of a prior felony drug conviction and he could be sentenced to up to life. Parker and Hobbs both face sentences of not less than five years and not more than 40 years.

However, Bunning told Hobbs she might satisfy all the criteria for a “safety valve” provision that would allow him to sentence her to less than five years.

All three defendants had been scheduled to stand trial July 13. They will be sentenced on Sept. 14.

Scott and Parker were returned to the Boyd County Detention Center to await sentencing. Bunning also revoked Hobbs’ bond and remanded her to custody.

KENNETH HART can be reached at khart@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2654.