Texas woman indicted for plotting to kill ex-husband with poisoned chocolates
- Pamela Jean Stanley was recorded planning to send fentanyl-laced chocolates to her ex-husband as a gift.
- She was arrested in May 2025 during an undercover sting operation after attempting to buy what she believed was fentanyl.
- Stanley's indictment on felony charges reflects a serious escalation of her attempts to harm her ex-husband.
In Texas, Pamela Jean Stanley was arrested for allegedly plotting to murder her ex-husband, Jeffrey Kauth, by sending him chocolates laced with fentanyl. This plan came to light in July 2025, following an investigation initiated by a tip from a protected source. According to the Parker County Sheriff's Office, Stanley's scheme involved disguising the poisoned chocolates as a congratulatory gift from a travel agency, complete with a fake honeymoon offer to enhance the ruse. Undercover officers subsequently lured Stanley to a motel parking lot, where they arrested her after she attempted to purchase fentanyl. At the time of her arrest, she also possessed 9.5 grams of methamphetamine. An earlier attempt to hire a hitman to carry out her plan was thwarted when the hitman reported her intentions to Kauth. Stanley had reportedly wanted to eliminate her ex-husband to access his son's inheritance and regain control of their former home, leading to feelings of revenge after the failed hitman assignment. She has a previous conviction for deadly conduct involving firearm discharge, which raises concerns about her actions. Despite the severity of her alleged crimes, she was released on a $450,000 bond and is now awaiting trial on multiple felony charges, including criminal solicitation and attempt to commit murder.