CLEARFIELD – An area woman accused of selling heroin on seven, different occasions was sentenced to state prison during plea and sentencing court in Clearfield County.
Melissa Daniell Padgett, 28, 1920 Dorey St. Ext., Clearfield, pleaded guilty to two counts of delivery of a controlled substance, and criminal use of communication facility in one case and delivery of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal use of communication facility in six additional cases.
She was sentenced by Judge Paul E. Cherry to three to six years in state prison. She must complete drug/alcohol counseling and submit to DNA testing at a cost of $250. She was fined $21 plus costs.
Padgett was the focus of an undercover investigation by the Clearfield County Drug Task Force. The charges stem from incidents in Philipsburg, Chester Hill and Decatur Township between May and November of 2013 when she allegedly sold heroin to an undercover officer.
Prior to sentencing, she addressed the court stating she justified what she was doing by convincing herself she wasn’t hurting anyone but she now realizes that was wrong. She said she doesn’t want to go back to being the person she was when she used drugs and asked to be sent to the Quehanna Boot Camp.
Her attorney, Joe Ryan, noted that she spent six years in the U.S. Army and had a college education, but she “threw it all away.” He commented that going to the boot camp could help her.
Cherry agreed she was eligible for the boot camp, which has a drug program.
According to the affidavits of probable cause, on May 2, 2013, an undercover officer and a confidential informant met with Padgett at the Hill Crest Commons in Chester Hill near a playground. The officer noted that there were numerous people near them in the parking lot and playground area and suggested she roll up the car window.
“It’s okay. Everyone here knows I am a drug dealer,” she replied. She opened a tin and removed three stamp bags of heroin and three Adderall capsules. The officer paid her $110.
After they left, the informant sent Padgett a text, asking if he/she could give her cell number to the undercover officer. She replied telling them it was OK, adding that she had Xanax pills to sell if they were interested.
On May 13, 2013, the officer sent a text message to Padgett about buying heroin. She responded that she had five bags. A deal was set to take place at the parking lot of the Hill Crest Commons near the playground again.
When the officer arrived, he saw two people leaving her apartment. After Padgett got into his vehicle, the officer asked who they were and she said they were there to buy pills from her. She then sold the officer five stamp bags of heroin for $120. She asked him if he knew anyone who wanted to buy “perks” meaning Percocet.
On July 9, 2013, the officer contacted Padgett again, asking to buy more heroin. She replied to him, saying she was concerned he was a cop. He was able to reassure her and she agreed to sell him a bundle of 10 bags of heroin for $260. He met with her at a shopping center parking lot in Philipsburg where the transaction occurred.
On Aug. 7, 2013, the officer contacted Padgett again in an attempt to purchase heroin. After they exchanged a few text messages, including information that her source was in jail, they agreed to meet at Sheetz in Philipsburg. On this occasion the officer was able to purchase 10 stamp bags for $265.
On Aug. 12, 2013, another buy was set up at the Sheetz in Philipsburg where the officer purchased four stamp bags of heroin. On Oct. 7, 2013, the officer met with Padgett at a laundry mat in Chester Hill. She sold him five stamp bags of heroin that day.
On Nov. 7, 2013, arrangements were made by the officer to meet with Padgett in Clearfield Borough where she was working. They traveled to Sheetz in Philipsburg. Once there the officer gave her $250. She walked across a nearby bridge and when she returned, she handed the 10 stamp bags of heroin to him.
A surveillance team waited for them at a business on Route 322. When the officer’s vehicle came past them, a state police patrol unit pulled the vehicle over. Padgett was informed that the man she had been selling heroin to was an undercover officer. Padgett was then taken into custody.
