Duncan woman pleads to fentanyl trafficking, partner to face trial

DUNCAN — A Duncan woman waived her jury trial and pleaded guilty Thursday to fentanyl trafficking.

Crystal Leann Wolford pleaded guilty in Stephens County District Court to a felony charge of aggravated fentanyl trafficking, records indicate. Sentencing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. June 13.

The crime is punishable by between two years to life in prison.

Wofford and her partner, Ronald Ray Black, were arrested and charged in November 2023 after investigators made four controlled fentanyl buys.

Black was arrested following the four buys that took place over October and November 2023 during an operation by the Sixth District Attorney’s Office Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, according to Chief Investigator Justin R. Scott. The buys happened at the home the couple shared at 107 E. Fig in Duncan.

A confidential informant purchased over 1 gram of fentanyl during controlled buys on Oct. 16, 17 and 20, 2023, and on Nov. 6, 2023, the probable cause affidavit states. Each time, it was Black who dealt with the informant.

A search warrant was executed at the home on Nov. 13, 2023. Wolford, who was at the home, told investigators she’d just received delivery of a bag containing over 5 grams of fentanyl that were found on a coffee table in the living room, the affidavit states.

Wolford continues to be held on $150,000 bond.

Black, 37, made his initial appearance Nov. 14, 2023, in Stephens County District Court where he received four felony counts of trafficking fentanyl, records indicate. Each count is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Black is being held on $50,000 bond. He pleaded not guilty March 14 during formal arraignment. He is scheduled to begin trial at 9 a.m. Oct. 21, records indicate.