Thompson called it the largest seizure of methamphetamine ever in West Virginia. Clarksburg, WV Federal authorities have charged 33 people with participating in a oxycodone distribution ring in North Central West Virginia. 22, 2023 at 12:59 PM PDT. If anyone has information about the whereabouts of the people in the photos below, they should contact the Charleston Police Department at 304-348-6400. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Most of the suspects in the federal cases are Charleston residents. The Kanawha County Sheriffs Office said that their SWAT team assisted the FBI in executing arrest warrants, but the details of those arrests will need to be released by the FBI. The arrests today dismantled a drug trafficking network that has wreaked havoc in the Charleston area for far too long. The following people were also charged in Tuesdays conspiracy indictment: Others involved in the McGhee network who were charged federally prior to this week include: Motor vehicles used in furtherance of the conspiracy have been seized and will be subject to forfeiture, to include a GMC Sierra, Chevrolet Tahoe, a Polaris Slingshot, a Mercedes G-Class 450, a Bentley Continental, a BMW 535, a Cadillac XTS, a Chevrolet Cruze, a Buick Lacrosse, a Nissan Sentra, a Freightliner motor home, and an Acura. Thousand-ton rockslide cleared in Boone County, Charleston Mayor wishes Jennifer Garner a Happy Birthday, presents her with a key to the city, WSAZ Investigates | Lawmakers Question WVSP Spending. All Rights Reserved. U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia Will Thompson said 30 federal indictments were returned after an 8-month long investigation into a historic drug bust in the state. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Not much is known about the situation, but a spokesperson from the FBI confirmed that there was law enforcement activity in the area. Browse TV Schedule | Find WVPB Television, Mountain Stage | Classical Music | Eclectopia | Lost Highways. A locked padlock Request WVPB Education to attend or host an event! These steps are often compact, practical and easy to move. This investigation demonstrates that we will use all of our resources, including new and innovative investigative techniques, against those who target our communities with this poison. While sometimes the work of our officers must go unnoticed in order to take part in efforts like the one being championed today, we are thrilled to be able to finally recognize the amazing work of so many, said Charleston Mayor Amy Schuller Goodwin. The operation included the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the U.S. Huntington:(304) 529-5799. Copyright 2023 TheAssociated Press. A spokesperson from the FBI says that they are still looking for three people facing federal charges: Deayria Willis, Perry Johnson, and Dashounieque Wright. CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK)There was a large police presence at the FBI building in Charleston on Wednesday morning. . These arrests are an outstanding example of what federal and local law enforcement can accomplish when we work together, Norwall said. Best States is an interactive platform developed by U.S. News for ranking the 50 U.S. states, alongside news analysis and daily reporting. Note: An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. That's according to a news release from Acting United State Attorney Lisa Johnston. The indictment charges all four defendants with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from October 2022 to January 2023 at or near Charleston. Charleston WV seems like it could be a nice little downtown area, . In this screen grab from a video, law enforcement personnel are shown on the scene of a large methamphetamine bust in Charleston, W.V., on March 22, 2023. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. The states southern district attorney calls methemphatmine a nasty drug that often leads to violence. If you come to Charleston, youre gambling.. The takedown of this drug trafficking organization stopped a record amount of methamphetamine, as well as other dangerous drugs, from reaching our communities and causing harm, United State Attorney Thompson said. Call 1-855-WVA-FEDS or Email wvafeds@usdoj.gov if you have information about public corruption in your community. On July 13, members of the Mon Metro Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at an apartment on Van Voorhis Road in Morgantown to locate evidence to support an investigation," according to a criminal complaint. Denise Marie Cottrell, 63, of Charleston, West Virginia. During the nearly 18-month-long investigation, law enforcement seized approximately 10 pounds of meth, 40 firearms, more than $80,000 cash, and several vehicles. Brian Stewart, 35 of Mannington, was indicted on charges of first degree sexual abuse; first degree sexual assault and sexual abuse by a parent, guardian, custodian or person in a position of trust to a child. Thompson called it the largest seizure of methamphetamine ever in West Virginia. Charged in a separate, one-count federal indictment are: Alexandria Jasmine Estep, 21, and Robert Dewayne Miller, 35, both of Charleston; and Perry Johnson, Jr., 29, and Dashounieque Lashay Wright, 26, both of Detroit, Michigan. Charged in a 15-count indictment are: Ramon David Alston, 41, of Decatur, Georgia Jonathan Gregory Bush, 38, of Dunbar, West Virginia Feds Announce Major Drug Bust, Arrests In West Virginia A joint investigation led by the DEA and FBI has resulted in the largest methamphetamine seizure in #WV history. Norwall was glad to see both state and local agencies coming together to make this massive bust happen. According to Huntington Police, Members of the Huntington Violent Crime Drug Task Force, Huntington Police Department's Violent Crimes Unit, and HPD SWAT Team seized four firearms and suspected heroin, crack . CHARLESTON, W.Va. It was a long day, but a fulfilling one for local and federal law enforcement, who made a significant seizure of drugs Wednesday. ), and 2:23-cr-4 (Wemh et al.). The drug epidemic in this state knows no socioeconomic or geographic boundaries and continues to affect West Virginians from all walks of life. Thompson said 30 of the suspects were indicted by a federal grand jury and the others are charged in state criminal complaints. Menu. Feds Announce Major Drug Bust, Arrests in West Virginia CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) A federal drug trafficking investigation in West Virginia has resulted in charges against 54 people and. According to the DOJ, the individuals were also charged with distributing large amounts of cocaine and fentanyl in Charleston. Spook, 42 of Detroit, Michigan; Christopher Lloyd, a.k.a. The Department of Justice announced Wednesday it made the largest methamphetamine bust in West Virginia history. Learn more about how to protect your children online. The takedown of this drug trafficking organization stopped a record amount of methamphetamine, as well as other dangerous drugs, from reaching our communities and causing harm, Thompson said. Parkersburg residents Carlo Ramsey, 56, Robert Sanders Jr., 29, and Ambera Roberts, 34, are . 14 of the defendants were charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, and the indictment attributes 500 grams or more of meth to Jeffries, Davis, McCauly, Robert, and Snead. Douglas Johnathan Wesley, 32, of Charleston, West Virginia. 2:23-cr-31 (Jeffries et al. Those seizures prevented over 900 pounds of fentanyl, 700 pounds of methamphetamine and 100 pounds of cocaine from entering the United States. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. Thompson said 30 of the suspects were indicted by a federal grand jury and the others are charged in state criminal complaints. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. A federal grand jury has returned three indictments charging 30 individuals for their roles in the drug trafficking organization (DTO) responsible for distributing large quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanyl in Charleston. Marshals Service. ). Simultaneous with McGhees apprehension, arrests and searches occurred at the airport in Pittsburgh, and at homes and businesses in West Virginia and Ohio. WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA A sophisticated drug trafficking network that served as one of the largest suppliers of illicit substances to West Virginia has been dismantled by a federal indictment returned this week against individuals from Ohio, California, and Mexico. Benjamin Wood has been charged with attempted murder. ), 2:23-cr-33 (Estep et al. The drugs are suspected to be heroin and fentanyl. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Bud, 26, of Detroit, Michigan; Sean Miller Phillips, Jr., 24, of Eastpointe, Michigan; Devante Maddox, 25, of Detroit, Michigan; Konshawntas Boyd, 37, of Detroit, Michigan; Brianna Blackman, a.k.a. The indictment charges 12 of the defendants with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Kanawha County from March 2019 to September 2021. UPDATE (3:50 p.m. on Wednesday, March 22): Several members of West Virginia law enforcement gathered with US Attorney Will Thompson to announce efforts made during what theyre calling Operation Smoke and Mirrors.. "This investigation demonstrates that we will use all of our resources, including new and innovative investigative techniques, against those who target our communities with this poison," Thompson said. Red, 31, of Detroit, Michigan; Darmatrice Love, 32, of Detroit, Michigan; Robert Brown, Jr., a.k.a. The Belmont County (OH) Sheriffs Office and the Belmont County Prosecutors Office provided important assistance. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the U.S. Joe Crawford, Chief Deputy of the Kanawha County Sheriffs Department said Wednesday it would be a bad idea for anyone to think about dealing drugs such as these in the city. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. CHARLESTON, W.Va. It was a long day, but a fulfilling one for local and federal law enforcement, who made a significant seizure of drugs Wednesday. 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Terry Thomas, a.k.a. This investigation demonstrates that we will use all of our resources, including new and innovative investigative techniques, against those who target our communities with this poison. A large amount of illegal and dangerous drugs were stopped from going into our local neighborhood during the course of this investigation. U.S. Attorney Will Thompson said law enforcement also seized lesser amounts of cocaine and fentanyl along with 18 firearms and $747,000 in cash. In a separate 10-count indictment, Shane Kelly Fulkerson, 43, of Saint Albans, West Virginia and Timothy Wayne Dodd, 45, of Charleston, West Virginia, are charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Kanawha County from March to September 2021. Huntington, WV 25701, Charleston: (304) 345-2200 C. 26, 2020 they have charged 12 people with dealing methamphetamine, . HUNTINGTON, WV (WOWK)- Three people were arrested Wednesday, in a drug bust in Huntington. 2 Westmoreland County vape shops under investigation. Neighborhoods have suffered along with the victims and the victims families. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Published: Mar. Anyone with information on their whereabouts should contact 1-800-CALL-FBI. "The takedown of this drug trafficking organization stopped a record amount of methamphetamine, as well as other dangerous drugs, from reaching our communities and causing harm," United States Attorney Will Thompson said in a statement. Bobbie Jo Phillips, 30, of Morgantown, West Virginia. We asked BestReviews cooking expert Andrea Boudewijn for her best recommendations for Mothers Day gifts. USAO Monitor Selection for Corporate Criminal Enforcement. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 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