New York woman sentenced after cocaine found in fire wreckage
YANCEY COUNTY, NC — A Brooklyn woman who came to western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene recovery efforts is heading to prison after investigators discovered more than 300 grams of cocaine inside a burned camper, officials said.
Kelly Daly, 42, of Brooklyn, New York, was convicted March 19 by a Yancey County jury on charges of trafficking cocaine and possession of cocaine, according to the Yancey County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities said Daly arrived in Yancey County from New York shortly after Hurricane Helene and had been living in a camper at Camp Miller.
Investigators said the case began on Dec. 15, 2024, after Daly was asked to leave Camp Miller and was moving the camper when an accidental fire broke out inside.
Daly was the only person inside the camper at the time of the fire, officials said.
During the investigation, deputies searching the remains of the camper allegedly discovered about 303.77 grams of cocaine.
Superior Court Judge Alan Z. Thornburg sentenced Daly to a minimum of 70 months and a maximum of 93 months in prison for trafficking cocaine. She was also ordered to pay a $100,000 fine.
For the cocaine possession conviction, Daly received a separate probationary sentence ranging from six to 17 months.
Sheriff Shane Hilliard credited the partnership between the Yancey County Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney Seth Banks’ office for securing the conviction.
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Key Points
• Brooklyn woman convicted after cocaine discovered in burned camper
• Deputies found more than 300 grams of cocaine during fire investigation
• Kelly Daly sentenced to prison and fined $100K
