Police admitted Monday to losing $12,000 in cash near Macksburg during a controlled drug buy in March.
The money, two rolled bundles of $100 bills wrapped in rubber bands, is believed to have been thrown into Duck Creek by a suspect as he attempted to run from officers, said Washington County Sheriff Larry Mincks.
Police and divers spent several days looking for the money with no success, Mincks said. The department will now seek restitution from the suspect in the case, who was indicted Monday by a grand jury.
"The river was running very high and the current was very strong at that time," Mincks said. "It's hard to tell where that money might be. We believe there may be some assets we can go after to recoup at least some of the losses."
Indicted in the case were Mario R. Johnson, 28, of Detroit; Leonard Collins, 40, of Detroit; and Derill King Jr., 18, of Redford, Mich.
Johnson is accused of throwing the money into the stream while fleeing police after selling 10 ounces of cocaine to undercover officers near the Adult Mart in Macksburg.
The men were among 20 individuals indicted Monday.
Specifically, Johnson is charged with second-degree felony trafficking in cocaine and third-degree felony tampering with evidence. King is charged with second-degree felony trafficking in cocaine. Collins is charged with second-degree felony trafficking in cocaine and first-degree felonious assault. In addition to participating in the drug transaction, Collins is accused of nearly striking an officer with his vehicle as he attempted to flee the scene.
Mincks said the men are believed to be part of an organization from Detroit and Cleveland, working in conjunction with people in the Marietta/Parkersburg area intent on distributing cocaine. The arrests are considered significant in curtailing the influx of powder cocaine into the Marietta/Parkersburg area, he said.
About $7,000 of the money belonged to the Washington County Sheriff's Office. The rest of the cash belonged to the Parkersburg Narcotics Task Force, which assisted in the sting.
Mincks said the money is marked, but he didn't know what would happen if it was found by a citizen.
"I'm not sure of the law on that," Mincks said. "We would probably know when they started spending it, though."
Washington County Prosecutor Jim Schneider also was unclear on what should happen if someone came across the cash.
"That money could be anywhere from Macksburg to New Orleans by now," Schneider said. "I suppose someone in Macksburg could have an extra nice Christmas. I don't know."
Also indicted (addresses were not provided):
John E. Zimmerman, 58, was charged with fourth-degree felony driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Zimmerman is accused of being under the influence during a July 13 traffic stop in Washington County. Prosecutors said Zimmerman has five prior drunk driving convictions, including one three days before the most recent arrest.
Dwight K. Masters Jr., 40, was charged with fifth-degree felony non-support of dependents. Masters is accused of failing to pay $19,500 in child support between 1999 and October 2008.
James Wright, 41, was charged with third-degree felony burglary. Wright is accused of breaking into a Dunham Township residence on Sept. 13.
Quinton Johnson, 25, was charged with fifth-degree felony non-support of dependents. Johnson is accused of failing to pay $5,367 in child support between Jan. 1, 2007, and October 2008.
Corey C. Boring, 31, was charged with fifth-degree felony non-support of dependents. Boring is accused of failing to pay $6,009 in child support between June 2006 and October 2008.
Adam J. Hadley, 19, was charged with fifth-degree felony theft and fifth-degree felony forgery. Hadley is accused of stealing and cashing checks from a Belpre woman on Sept. 14.
Michael Babcock, 32, was charged with third-degree felony robbery. Babcock is accused of attempting to steal $250 worth of merchandise from Wal-Mart on Sept. 21. Police said Babcock shoved a store employee who attempted to detain him, which elevated the offense from a theft to a robbery charge.
Sherri D. Goodwin, 48, was charged with fifth-degree felony deception to obtain a dangerous drug. Goodwin is accused of visiting several doctors and drug stores in an effort to get dangerous drugs.
Norman D. Kennedy, 23, was charged with fourth-degree felony theft of drugs and fifth-degree felony complicity to commit grand theft. Kennedy and two other men are accused of breaking into several vehicles in the Norwood area of Marietta on Nov. 12.
Anthony W. Kennedy, 25, was charged with fifth-degree felony complicity to commit grand theft. Kennedy and two others are accused of breaking into several vehicles in the Norwood area of Marietta on Nov. 12.
Robert M. Russell, 19, was charged with fifth-degree felony complicity to commit grand theft and fifth-degree felony receiving stolen property. Russell and two others are accused of breaking into several vehicles in the Norwood area of Marietta on Nov. 12.
Mitchell L. Erb, 22, was charged with fourth-degree felony receiving stolen property. Erb is accused of attempting to steal a vehicle from a Grandview Township residence on Nov. 12.
Penny L. Jones, 53, was charged with fourth-degree felony driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Jones is accused of driving under the influence during a Sept. 13 traffic stop in Marietta. Prosecutors said Jones has three prior drunk driving convictions in the past six years.
Keith J. Lowe, 19, was charged with three counts of fourth-degree felony unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. Lowe is accused of engaging in a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old girl between July and August.
James "Jamie" Hoban II, 33, of Belpre, was charged with two counts of third-degree felony gross sexual imposition. Hoban is accused of engaging in sexual contact with two 12-year-old girls over a several week period during the fall of 2007.
Robert N. Mease Jr., 32, was charged with third-degree felony unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. Mease is accused of impregnating a 14-year-old girl in 2002.
