Mabel Francis Soto, a 70-year-old resident of Georgetown, Kentucky, was sentenced on Mar. 26 to five years in federal prison for her role in a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address the distribution of dangerous drugs such as fentanyl within local communities. According to the plea agreement, Soto worked with co-defendant Taylor Burden to sell drugs from her residence in Georgetown.
Authorities obtained a search warrant for Soto’s home on October 19, 2022, following surveillance activities. During the search, law enforcement recovered over 100 grams of fentanyl pills and crushed pills, methamphetamine intended for distribution, a handgun, and approximately $251,100 believed to be drug proceeds.
Burden was previously sentenced in January 2026 to five years in prison for his involvement in the same trafficking conspiracy. Under federal law, Soto must serve at least 85 percent of her sentence before becoming eligible for release. Upon completion of her prison term, she will be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for four years.
The sentencing announcement came from Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge at the FBI Louisville Field Office; and Chief Darin Allgood of the Georgetown Police Department. The investigation was conducted jointly by the FBI and Georgetown Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Rieker.
