Melissa H. Tackett, 47, of Washington Court House, plead guilty Monday to aggravated possession of drugs, a third-degree felony, during an appearance in the Fayette County Court of Common Pleas.
According to court records, Washington Court House police officers responded to a call for assistance from EMTs on West Kennedy Avenue Aug. 4. A witness reported they had stopped by Tackett’s residence to drop off baby diapers and heard a thud from inside upon approaching the door and went into the residence, where Tackett was found unresponsive on the floor.
Tackett was transported to the Fayette County Memorial Hospital where she was administered Narcan in the emergency room and revived. Emergency room nurses found a fentanyl patch inside her throat, according to court records.
Fentanyl, a schedule II controlled substance, is biologically similar to heroin and about 80 times more potent than morphine, according to the Drug Enforcement Agency.
During Monday’s hearing, Steven Beathard, Fayette County Court of Common Pleas Judge, ordered a pre-sentence investigation and told Tackett they were going to drug screen her and asked her if she was going to test positive for opiates.
“Uh, it’s possible,” Tackett said.
Tackett said she had gone through treatment previously, and court records indicate she was previously granted treatment in lieu of conviction on a charge of deception to obtain a dangerous drug in 2004. Tackett said she thought the treatment “really helped.”
Beathard said she may be ordered to start treatment before her sentencing date, which is scheduled for Jan. 17.
Tackett said she has “extremely severe things going on” with a member of her family that may affect her. Beathard said she will have an opportunity to discuss all of her concerns with Dan Sheets, Fayette County Adult Probation Officer.
“You’re probably going to be back in treatment pretty quick,” said Beathard.
“I need to be,” said Tackett.