Stephanie Marie Terrell, a 39-year-old woman from Batavia, Ohio, was sentenced on Apr. 23 to 78 months in prison for her role in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy, according to the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky. Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning imposed the sentence after Terrell pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the attempted possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to address drug-related offenses and maintain community safety through prosecution and collaboration with law enforcement partners. According to her plea agreement, law enforcement intercepted a package containing over 220 grams of methamphetamine that had been mailed from Houston, Texas, and addressed to a residence in Covington. A controlled delivery was conducted on May 27, 2025; Scott Baxter retrieved the package from the porch and brought it to a vehicle driven by Terrell. During an attempted getaway, Dereco Lamont Evans threw the package out of the car before he and Terrell were detained.
Terrell admitted she knew about the drugs in the package and facilitated its delivery for Timothy McCay with help from Joseph Felix Garza of Houston. Her co-defendants received sentences ranging from time served (4 days) up to more than ten years: Joseph Felix Garza received 132 months imprisonment; Timothy J. McCay received 123 months; Harry Smith received 41 months; Scott Baxter received 36 months; Dereco Lamont Evans received 40 months; Stephanie Marie Garcia was sentenced to time served.
Federal law requires that Terrell and her co-defendants serve at least eighty-five percent of their prison terms before release. Upon completion of her sentence, Terrell will be supervised by U.S. Probation for five years.
Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Lesley Allison, Special Agent in Charge at United States Postal Inspection Service Pittsburgh Field Division; and Scott Hardcorn, Director of Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force announced this sentencing decision.
The United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky enforces federal laws—including those related to drug abuse prevention—and works closely with federal, state and local agencies on initiatives such as elder protection programs according to its official website. The office functions under the Department of Justice according to its official website and has handled both criminal prosecutions and civil cases since its origins under the Judiciary Act of 1789 according to its official website. Several early U.S. Attorneys for this district went on to notable roles including service on the Supreme Court or as governor according to its official website.
