COLUMBUS – A Brownstown woman pleaded guilty in an open plea deal in connection to the death of a Columbus man.
In Bartholomew Superior Court 1, Tiffany Marie Sculley, 35, pleaded guilty to a charge of dealing in a narcotic drug as a Level 5 felony that led to the death of 37-year-old Ronald Lee Smith of Columbus.
An open guilty plea means the defendant is admitting their guilt without any promise from the prosecution as to what sentence will be recommended.
Judge James Worton will sentence Sculley on February 20 at 2:30 p.m.
Both Sculley and co-defendant Ryan Self, 35, of Seymour, were arrested in connection to Smith’s death. Self has a change of plea hearing scheduled for April 22, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. in Bartholomew Superior Court 1.
On July 8, 2022, Smith’s body was found in a tent in a homeless camp along a walking path near Tellman Camp Road, north of Mill Race Park in Columbus. The autopsy indicated he accidentally died of acute fentanyl intoxication.
Through various investigative techniques, the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team identified Self and Sculley as suspects, said Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department.
