Additional Coverage:
A Texas woman is facing serious charges after allegedly plotting to kill her ex-husband with fentanyl-laced chocolates. 63-year-old Pamela Jean Stanley of Coleman was indicted last week following her arrest in May. The Parker County Sheriff’s Office reports that Stanley planned to disguise the deadly chocolates as a congratulatory gift from a travel agency, complete with a “honeymoon incentive” offer, for her recently engaged ex-husband.
Authorities state that Stanley was caught in a sting operation on May 30th. An undercover investigator, posing as a fentanyl supplier, met Stanley in a motel parking lot where she attempted to purchase the drug. She was immediately taken into custody and found to be in possession of 9.5 grams of methamphetamine.
Stanley now faces charges of criminal solicitation of murder, attempted murder, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. She is currently being held on a $450,000 bond.
Her ex-husband, Jeff Kauth, told ABC News affiliate WFAA that he’d previously reported concerns about Stanley to law enforcement, including rumors of her hiring a hitman. He expressed a lack of surprise at her elaborate scheme, stating, “Her plan was pretty ingenious.
She thought this stuff through.” Kauth, who was married to Stanley for 14 years before their 2019 divorce, admitted he likely would have eaten the chocolates had they arrived.
He expressed relief at Stanley’s arrest, adding, “I’ll never look at a box of chocolates the same.” He also revealed he had taken extensive security precautions, including installing cameras and even placing a decoy of himself in his kitchen.
Stanley has a prior arrest in 2019 for deadly discharge of a firearm. She is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on August 12th, with her jury trial set to begin on October 20th. Stanley’s attorney has not yet responded to requests for comment.