Johnston

“Last night was very significant,” said Sheriff Larry Mincks, during a press conference Thursday.

Agents of the Ohio Organized Crimes Investigations Commission, Washington Morgan Monroe Noble Major Crimes Task Force executed the search warrants for drug trafficking, which resulted in the arrest of seven local people.

Searches were made at 1572 Elizabeth St. Apt. A and Apt. C in Belpre, and 949 Lancaster St., Marietta.

During the search, 4.5 kilos of a fentanyl/heroin mix, $40,000 in cash and several handguns were found.

Payne

Washington County Prosecutor Nicole Coil said the individuals were arraigned Thursday morning and are facing three to 11 years in prison. Additional charges will be made for those for having a weapon while under disability.

The weapons included two Springfield handguns, a Glock Taurus 25, a high-capacity magazine 9mm handgun and a .22 caliber Derringer. A hydraulic press was also found, which was used to press powdered drugs into bricks.

“Getting this trash off the streets is a good day for us,” said Belpre Mayor Mike Lorentz.

Lt. Josh Staats of the task force said the street value is between $100 and $125 per gram and with a total of 5,000 grams, the drugs were worth between $500,000 and $625,000 on the street.

He added there were numerous complaints and three overdoses near the Belpre apartments.

Siegel

Lorentz noted the apartments were within a stone’s throw of the Belpre Police Department.

According to the sheriff’s office, those arrested were:

• Tytus Lamarr Shields, 31, of 1572 Elizabeth St., Apt. A, Belpre, was found at his home with $20,257 in cash, firearms and heroin totaling 86.92 grams. He had prior felony convictions for drugs, placing him under disability, preventing him from owning or possessing a firearm. One of the firearms located was stolen from Wood County. He was charged with trafficking in heroin, a first-degree felony; trafficking in methamphetamine, a first-degree felony; and receiving proceeds of an offense subject to forfeiture, a fifth-degree felony. His bond was set at $50,000 and he will also be charged with a parole violation.

•Andrew Robert Johnston, 41, of 1572 Elizabeth St., Apt. C, Belpre, was found at his home with four bags of heroin totaling 198.02 grams, 227.08 grams of methamphetamine, $10,180 in cash and digital scales and other items related to drug trafficking. He was charged with two counts of trafficking in drugs, both first-degree felonies; and receiving proceeds of an offense subject to forfeiture, a fifth-degree felony. His bond was set at $100,000.

• Kelci Leann Wise, 19, of 1572 Elizabeth St. Apt. C, Belpre, was found in her home with Johnston. She was found with .9 grams of methamphetamine on her person. She was charged with two counts of trafficking in drugs, both first-degree felonies; and one count of possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony. Her bond was set at $50,000.

Rymer

• Kyleigh Danielle Rymer, 29, of 107 Virginia St., Ravenswood, W.Va., tried to flee out the back door of Johnston’s apartment. She was stopped and secured. She was found trying to conceal .49 grams of suspected heroin and $1,250 in cash. Rymer was charged with possession of heroin, a fifth-degree felony; receiving proceeds of an offense subject to forfeiture, a fourth-degree felony; and tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony. Her bond was set at $7,500.

• Steven Allen Siegel, 31, of 1 ½ Eighth St., Belpre, also tried to flee out the back door. He was found in possession of 1.59 grams of heroin and $2,801 cash. His vehicle revealed a stolen license plate from Parkersburg. He was charged with possession of heroin, a fourth-degree felony; receiving proceeds of an offense subject to forfeiture, a fifth-degree felony; and receiving stolen property, a fifth-degree felony. His bond was set at $10,000.

• Timothy Edwin Payne Jr., 39, and Haley Noel Hull, 25, both of 949 Lancaster St., Marietta, were located at their home. Seized at their home were 3,064.37 grams of suspected heroin; 1,340 grams of suspected fentanyl; three firearms; $10,754 in cash; items used to mix and prepare fentanyl and heroin; scales; and a hydraulic press. Their infant child was also present at their residence. Payne was charged with having weapons under disability, a third-degree felony; trafficking in heroin, a first-degree felony; and trafficking in fentanyl, a first-degree felony. His bond was set at $75,000. Hull was charged with trafficking in heroin and trafficking in fentanyl, both first-degree felonies. Her bond was set at $50,000.

Michele Newbanks can be reached at mnewbanks@mariettatimes.com.

At a glance:

Shields

• Search warrants were executed at three locations in Washington County on Wednesday.

•Seven people were arrested and arraigned Thursday morning.

•Among the items seized were 4.5 kilos, or 10.5 pounds, of a fentanyl/heroin mix, $40,000 in cash and multiple handguns.

• They each face 3-11 years in prison, with some facing additional charges for having a weapon while under disability.

Source: Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

Wise

Hull

Photo by Michele Newbanks Before a press conference Thursday afternoon at the Washington County Courthouse, two agents of the Washington Morgan Monroe Noble Major Crimes Task Force lay out items that were seized in a drug bust Wednesday night.