Officers within the Nelsonville Police Department along with NPD’s K9 Attila have successfully completed many traffic stops along with some search warrants during February 2021 that continued on into the first week of March 2021. These stops and searches have led to several arrests, future indictments and a large number of drugs and paraphernalia being seized and taken off the streets of Nelsonville.
The following is some of the activity that NPD Officers and K9 Attila have completed:
On February 8th, Officers completed a vehicle stop on a vehicle near Ohio Health Urgent Care on JLE Drive after the vehicle had almost struck the front of Officer Jones police cruiser. K9 Attila performed a free air sniff of the vehicle to which Attila indicated on the passenger side door. Both occupants of the vehicle were detained and read their Miranda Rights. Brittany Russell was found to have Methamphetamine inside of her purse. The Methamphetamine was located in a 1 x 1 baggie. A search of the vehicle was completed and revealed a bulk amount (approximately 40 grams) of suspected Methamphetamine in Sheila Mcclellan’s purse. The Methamphetamine was located in a zip pouch with a set of digital scales and two different kinds of Oxycodone Pills, 5 total. A large amount of Meth was in an open baggie while the rest was in a green pill bottle. An additional purple, quilted wallet was found on the passenger floorboard and Sheila stated that it was hers: a small amount of Meth was located inside of it. Approximately $1,382 cash was seized out of Sheila’s purse as well. An oval glass mirror was located in the console of the vehicle with a line of suspected methamphetamine on it as if someone was getting ready to snort it. All mentioned items were seized. The suspected narcotics have been sent to BCI for lab analysis. Both Sheila Mcclellan and Brittany Russell were transported to the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail. Mcclellan was charged with Possession of Drugs and Trafficking in Drugs, and Russell was charged with Possession of Drugs.
On March 2, 2021 a vehicle stop was performed on W Washington St. A search of the vehicle was completed after K9 Attila positively indicated on the driver side door. Clinton Lester was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine. Lester was released, pending a future indictment.
Officers performed a vehicle stop on E Canal St. K9 Attila performed a free air sniff of the vehicle to which Attila positively indicated on the driver side door. A search of the Vehicle was completed by Officers: Hypodermic Syringes were located.
On March 3rd, Officers responded to Watkins St for a report of a suspicious person. Officers made contact with a male individual who was slumped over behind the wheel of his truck. In plain view, Officers observed a baggie of a white crystal substance. Steve Singleton was detained and read his Miranda Rights. The baggie of suspected Methamphetamine was collected, and a probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted. During the search, Officers located a hollowed-out pen cylinder that had brown residue on it, as well as aluminum foil with burn marks on it. All drug related items were seized and will be sent to BCI for lab analysis. Future Indictments are pending BCI lab results.
Officers performed a vehicle stop on Burr Oak Blvd. K9 Attila was deployed to perform a free air sniff of the vehicle to which Attila indicated on the passenger side. The occupants of the vehicle were removed and searched. During the search, one of the occupants admitted to concealing a hypodermic needle as well as heroin on his person. The needle, along with the baggie containing the brown substance were seized. Anthony Coon was arrested and transported to the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail for his warrant and will be indicted for possession of drugs and paraphernalia pending BCI results.
A Narcotics investigation led to the issuance of a search warrant that was performed at a residence on W Franklin St. Two Sandwich baggies containing a crystal substance suspected to be Methamphetamine, 3 small baggies containing a crystal substance suspected to be Methamphetamine, 2 containers with a green leafy substance, pipes, digital scales, and syringes were seized during the search of the residence. All seized suspected drugs will be sent to BCI for lab analysis. Future indictments are pending BCI lab results.
A vehicle stop was performed near Dollar General. K9 Attila was deployed to perform a free air sniff of the vehicle to which Attila positively indicated on the vehicle. During the search of the vehicle, Narcotics were found and will be sent to BCI for lab analysis.On March 4th, Officers responded to W Bailey Rd to assist OSP with a traffic stop. K9 Atilla performed a free air sniff of the vehicle to which Attila indicated on the passenger front door. A search of the vehicle was completed. Marijuana was found.K9 Attila was deployed during a traffic stop on Runyan Lane for a free air sniff of the vehicle to which Attila indicated on the driver’s side door. The occupants were removed from the vehicle and read their Miranda rights. A search of the vehicle was completed and approximately 60 grams of suspected Methamphetamine was located inside of the vehicle. A clear baggie containing suspected Methamphetamine was located on the back floorboard shoved underneath the driver’s seat. A small 1×1 baggie containing additional baggies was located right beside it. A red bag which was sitting next to Carsey containing two new glass smoking devices commonly used to smoke Methamphetamine, Butane Fuel, and other miscellaneous items was found. A black zip bag was found on the back floorboard and contained glass pipes, a green prescription bottle, which contained suspected methamphetamine, a set of digital scales, and 15 pills believed to be Hydrocodone. Both Zackary Price and Tylor Carsey were arrested and charged with Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (F2), Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F2), and Possession of Drugs (F5). The suspected narcotics will be sent to BCI for lab analysis. Both Carsey and Price were transported to the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail.
A vehicle stop was performed in the parking lot of Kroger on Poplar St. K9 Attila was deployed to perform a free air sniff of the vehicle to which Attila indicated on the vehicle. Bruce King and Tasha McCloud were removed from the vehicle and read their Miranda Rights. Tasha McCloud was found to have a glass smoking device commonly used to smoke Methamphetamine in her possession. A search of the vehicle was performed. Two Crown Royal Bags were located in the center console of the vehicle and contained approximately 90 grams or 3.1 ounces of suspected Methamphetamine. A Ruger 9mm handgun was also found during the search, along with a loaded magazine. The handgun returned as stolen out of Marietta PD. The evidence was seized, and the narcotics will be sent to BCI for lab analysis. Bruce King was arrested and charged with Aggravated Drug Trafficking (F1), Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F1) and Receiving Stolen Property (M1). Tasha McCloud was arrested and charged with Aggravated Drug Trafficking (F1), and Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F1). Both King and McCloud were transported to the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail.
Chief Scott Fitch would like to formally thank Keller Blackburn and The Athens County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for their assistance during these investigations that have led to many successful results for the Nelsonville Police Department and the Citizens of the Nelsonville area.
