Hocking County OH- On Wednesday, February 5th, the Hocking County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance from the United States Marshal Service’s Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (SOFAST) executed several arrest warrants for narcotics related offenses.
The arrest warrants were the result of long-term narcotics investigations conducted by Hocking County Sheriff’s Office Detectives assigned to the U.S. 23 Major Crimes Task Force which is the drug task force that serves Fayette, Highland, Hocking, Pike and Ross Counties.
The Hocking County Grand Jury issued indictments through Hocking County Common Pleas Court against the following individuals:
Daniele N. Blackburn, 28 of Logan:
Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs – 3rd Degree Felony
Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs – 4th Degree Felony
Aggravated Possession of Drugs – 3rd Degree Felony
Aggravated Possession of Drugs – 5th Degree Felony
Scott A. Cox, 47 of Logan:
Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs – 4th Degree Felony
Aggravated Possession of Drugs – 5th Degree Felony
Kristopher S. Cutlip, 47 of Logan:
Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs – 5th Degree Felony
Aggravated Possession of Drugs – 5th Degree Felony
Richard L. Dodson, 36 of Logan:
Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs – 2nd Degree Felony
Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs – 3rd Degree Felony
Aggravated Possession of Drugs – 2nd Degree Felony
Aggravated Possession of Drugs – 3rd Degree Felony
Aggravated Possession of Drugs – 5th Degree Felony
Jessica G. Flinn, 39 of Logan:
Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs – 3rd Degree Felony
Aggravated Possession of Drugs – 3rd Degree Felony
Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs – 4th Degree Felony
Aggravated Possession of Drugs – 5th Degree Felony
Bethany S. Flory, 36 of Logan:
Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs – 3rd Degree Felony
Aggravated Possession of Drugs – 3rd Degree Felony
James V. Franco II, 40 of Nelsonville:
Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs – 3rd Degree Felony
Aggravated Possession of Drugs – 3rd Degree Felony
Andre M. Frizzell, 41 of Logan:
Failure to Appear – 5th Degree Felony
Marcus L. Hutchison, 63 of Logan:
Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs – 1st Degree Felony
Aggravated Possession of Drugs – 2nd Degree Felony
Anthony S. Marolt Jr., 37 of Logan:
Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs – 3rd Degree Felony
Aggravated Possession of Drugs – 5th Degree Felony
Christopher W. McGiffen, 48 of Logan:
Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs – 3rd Degree Felony
Aggravated Possession of Drugs – 3rd Degree Felony
Permitting Drug Abuse – 5th Degree Felony
John D. Miller Jr., 33 of Logan:
Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs – 3rd Degree Felony
Aggravated Possession of Drugs – 3rd Degree Felony
Jeffrey P. Patrick, 35 of Logan:
Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs – 2nd Degree Felony
Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs – 3rd Degree Felony
Aggravated Possession of Drugs – 3rd Degree Felony
Aggravated Possession of Drugs – 5th Degree Felony
Christopher E. Sowers, 36 of Corning:
Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs – 3rd Degree Felony
Aggravated Possession of Drugs – 5th Degree Felony
Amber J. Taylor, 41 of Logan:
Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs – 3rd Degree Felony
Aggravated Possession of Drugs – 3rd Degree Felony
Darold D. Thacker, 52 of McArthur:
Parole Violation – 5th Degree Felony
Tanner R. Vermillion, 21 of Athens:
Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs – 3rd Degree Felony
Aggravated Possession of Drugs – 3rd Degree Felony
Shelly R. Ward, 48 of McArthur:
Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs – 2nd Degree Felony
Aggravated Possession of Drugs – 3rd Degree Felony
Endangering Children – 1st Degree Misdemeanor
Several other individuals are being sought and are urged to turn themselves in before they are located and arrested.
Hocking County Sheriff Lanny E. North stated: “Today’s operation was one of the many ways used to notify drug dealers that they are not welcome in our county. We will continue to work in a coordinated effort and use any and all resources available to us to combat the drug trade. The message we want to make is clear: To those suffering from drug dependency, come to us and we will connect you with members of the Project HOPE team assist you with getting the help you need. To those spreading your poison in our communities, stop now, or your name will soon appear on our list of arrests and the entire community will know who you are”.
U.S. 23 Major Crimes Task Force Commander, Jon Long stated: “This investigation by the Hocking County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. 23 Major Crimes Task Force proves that much can be accomplished through collaboration. The citizens in all of our communities are much safer now that the distributors of these destructive and deadly poisons are being held accountable for their actions.”
Hocking County Common Pleas Court Judge John T. Wallace made special arrangements to arraign all of the individuals who were arrested in today’s operation. Judge Wallace stated: I am always happy to cooperate with law enforcement for the safety of our community.”
The Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (SOFAST) is a fugitive-focused, United States Marshals Service-led task force consisting of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Peter C. Tobin, United States Marshal for the Southern District of Ohio stated: “We are happy to support Hocking County with their efforts to combat drug trafficking.”
Sheriff North would like to thank all law enforcement officers assigned to SOFAST and the BCI Intel Analyst who assisted in today’s operation.
As always, the Hocking County Sheriff’s Office depends on the cooperation and partnership with the community to effectively combat crime. We continue to urge residents to contact us with tips regarding suspected drug dealers. Tips can be sent, anonymously, via phone call or text message to 740-380-4276.
