PIKEVILLE, Ky. — One day after a Pikeville woman announced her intention to plead guilty to federal drug charges, the dominoes continue to fall.

Three more defendants requested that they be allowed to change their pleas on Thursday, meaning four of the nine defendants have now signaled they intend to plead guilty.

Karen Spears, 45, got the ball rolling on Wednesday by asking to change her plea. Now, Lois Spears, 27, of Pikeville; Lauren Powell, 22, of Elkhorn City; and Emilee Yonts, 34, of Ashcamp have done the same.

All four are part of a group of nine people charged with conspiracy to distribute meth and heroin

A judge scheduled a May 27 hearing for both Karen Spears and Lois Spears, but attorneys for Lois Spears asked to delay hers for two weeks, to give her employer, Kentucky Mountain Health, time for find a replacement. Prosecutors say they have no objection to that request.

No date has yet been set for Powell or Yonts.