SC woman going to prison for decades for latest drug conviction, prosecutor says

A Lexington County woman is going to prison for decades after her most recent conviction on a drug charge, according to the 11th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.

Read more Four arrested for throwing Pringles cans into SC prison, but chips weren’t inside

On July 22, a 3-day trial ended when 44-year-old Kristen Nicole Foutz was found guilty by a Lexington County jury of trafficking methamphetamine (28 grams or more, but less than 100 grams), the solicitor’s office said in a news release.

Circuit Court Judge Jocelyn Newman sentenced Foutz to 30 years in a South Carolina Department of Corrections prison, the maximum sentence allowed by law, according to the release. Under South Carolina law, Foutz will not be eligible for parole, the solicitor’s office said.

On Oct. 31, 2024, Foutz sold more than 28 grams of meth during a narcotics operation in the White Knoll area of Lexington County, the solicitor’s office said. During the trial, the jury watched surveillance footage of Foutz conducting the drug deal, according to the release.

Foutz testified that she only sold a cutting agent instead of actual narcotics, but the jury also heard from the chemist who tested the narcotics and confirmed they were real meth, the solicitor’s office said.

Read more Columbia man dies in hospital following crash, South Carolina coroner says

Foutz’s punishment was so severe for multiple reasons.

This conviction carried a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years because of South Carolina’s graduated drug laws and this being a third or subsequent offense for Foutz, according to the release. Under South Carolina law, this conviction is classified as a violent, serious offense, the solicitor’s office said.

Additionally, prosecutors said this was Foutz’s ninth drug conviction in the past 20-plus years, according to the release. She also has prior convictions for aiding escape from custody of officers and providing false information to law enforcement, the solicitor’s office said.

The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department led the investigation.

Assistant Solicitors Kyle Smith and Suzanne Shaw prosecuted this case for the solicitor’s office. Attorney Bradley Kirkland was listed as Foutz’s lawyer, Lexington County court records show.