Hamilton sentenced in federal drug conspiracy case involving former police officer

The first of three co-defendants in a federal drug conspiracy case involving a former Corbin Police officer was formally sentenced last week.

Tiffany Hamilton, 32, who was indicted in August 2017 along with former officer Charlie Bronson Fugate, 43, and Richard Stanley, 42, all of Corbin, was sentenced to 100 months (8.3 years) in federal prison at a hearing on September 18.

While in prison, Hamilton must complete a drug treatment program. Upon her release she will be under supervised release for five years.

Hamilton pleaded guilty in March to her part in the conspiracy to distribute 50 or more grams of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.

According to the plea agreement, the trio worked together over a three-month period between April and July 2017 to obtain the methamphetamine from unnamed sources of supply and then distribute it to others in Laurel and Whitley Counties.

The indictment was the result of a joint investigation by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Kentucky State Police and Williamsburg Police Department.

Williamsburg Police Chief Wayne Bird said the investigation into Fugate and his fiancé, Hamilton began after police arrested Stanley following a traffic stop in Rockholds.

“Stanley had seven to eight grams of crystal meth along with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, so we contacted ATF,” Bird said.

As part of the investigation, law enforcement recovered multiple firearms that Fugate and Hamilton possessed including a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun, a Maddi AK-type 7.62 x 39 caliber rifle, a Llama .22-caliber pistol, a Hi-Point 9mm handgun, a Ceska Zbrojovka A.S.v Praze handgun and a Phoenix Arms .22-caliber handgun.

Fugate is also a former Laurel County Sheriff’s deputy. In 2006, Fugate unsuccessfully ran for a seat on the Corbin City Commission.

In May 2009, Fugate was arrested while attempting to avoid a Kentucky State Police traffic checkpoint on Old US 25 and Slate Ridge.

On Feb. 7, 2010, Fugate was arrested on U.S. 25 in Laurel County after state police witnessed his vehicle cross the “fog line” and then the centerline.

Fugate pleaded guilty in each instance in May.

Stanley pleaded guilty to his part in the conspiracy in March.

They are scheduled to be sentenced on November 27.