Images show discovery of London ‘torture chamber,’ buried drugs, bones

Editor’s note: Details of the story may be disturbing to some readers.

LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56) — Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Law Enforcement has shared a glimpse of the scene where federal agents discovered a London “torture chamber.”

Scottie Shelton, 53, had served as an informant for the Drug Enforcement Administration due to his alleged ties to the eastern Kentucky drug trade. But when agents paid him a visit on Aug. 12, they made a gut-churning discovery.

In an affidavit obtained by FOX 56, Special Agent David Wilson recalled smelling “a strong and pungent odor,” similar to that of a “decaying corpse,” emanating from a white sheet metal building.

One of the agents on scene contacted one of their sources, who explained that they’d personally seen a “jail cell” built on the second story of the metal building and in 2020 had allegedly seen photographs of a “young female” restrained inside. After requesting a welfare check, Shelton emerged from the metal building and permitted investigators to come inside.

According to Agent Wilson, upstairs, deputies found a “cell-like room that appeared to be a torture chamber” complete with handcuffs, rope, and several guns. Downstairs, deputies found a deer carcass in another room with “a lot of disturbed earth.”

On Tuesday, Aug. 26, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Law Enforcement shared a look at what investigators encountered.

Shelton reportedly told investigators that he typically buries drugs around the property and sometimes forgets where he buried them. He allowed the agents to rummage through one particular dirt pile, where authorities uncovered what Wilson describes as a “human bone.” He explained that a man had brought “Indian remains” to his property and buried them in that same area, per an affidavit. That’s when authorities decided to get a search warrant.

The sheriff’s office contacted Kentucky Fish and Wildlife (KFW), reporting finding a rotting two-point buck in the metal building. When KFW arrived on the scene, officials discovered:

• A bobcat skull
• 2 mounted bobcats
• A hawk’s head and feet
• 20 deer skulls and caps
• A turkey beard under seven inches
• A turkey beard under 10 inches
• A turkey beard attached to the feet and spurs under an inch
• A turkey beard attached to the feet and spurs over an inch

According to a citation, none of the harvested animals were reported.

Shelton drew a map of where the narcotics were buried. Using the map, investigators reportedly found 6,000 pills believed to be oxycodone and around 1,200 grams of methamphetamine.

Shelton faces 24 counts of illegal taking of deer/wild turkey and illegal taking of wildlife on the state level. Federal investigators have charged Shelton with possessing with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.

He was lodged in the Laurel County Correctional Center and is in U.S. Marshal custody.

Shelton appeared in a federal courtroom on Monday, Aug. 25, for a preliminary hearing. Court records show that a DEA task force officer testified, and an ATF recovery report and photographs from the scene were entered into evidence.

An order obtained by FOX 56 indicates that probable cause was established, and the case will proceed.