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POMEROY — Meigs County authorities have announced multiple drug-related arrests this week.

In August 2024 the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office, Mason County Sheriff’s Department, and the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) initiated an investigation into a local drug trafficking organization.

The operation targeted Rufus Wright Jr., of Pomeroy, that led to an extensive investigation into additional individuals and their involvement in the drug trafficking ring. These individuals were identified as Charles Bouyer, of Gallipolis, Raheem Bouyer, of Detroit, Mich., and Johnny Moore, of California.

Detectives were able to develop information and details to the partnership relating to the drug trafficking organization. This led detectives to multiple jurisdictions including Ohio, West Virginia, Texas, California and Michigan. Detectives were assisted in the investigation by Charleston Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Huntington Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Charleston Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Gallia County Sheriff’s Office.

As the case progressed from August of 2024 to July of 2025, multiple individuals were connected to the trafficking organization throughout the State of Ohio and surrounding areas.

WRIGHT

On Tuesday, multiple search warrants were executed in the tri-state area by law enforcement. The residences of drug dealers, trap houses, and those assisting them in their illegal activity were shut down. Members of the Meigs County Special Response Team (SRT) and members of the Gallia County Special Response Team executed a search warrant at 586 W. Main St. in Pomeroy. This was the residence of Wright, also known as Tone, 53, of Pomeroy, and Virginia Smith of Pomeroy. Wright was identified as using multiple properties and residences to engage in a criminal enterprise. Wright was taken into custody by members of the Special Response Team.

Wright faces charges of: possession of drugs, a first-degree felony (12 counts), with a major drug offender specification; trafficking in drugs, a first-degree felony (12 counts), with a major drug offender specification; and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, a first-degree felony

The FBI Special Response Team executed a search warrant in Gallipolis, at a location identified as a primary location for drug trafficking by the organization. Individuals identified as utilizing this residence were Moore, AKA “Johnny Dollar,” who was taken into custody at the residence. Raheem Bouyer, AKA “Heem,” was also taken into custody in Gallipolis.

Moore faces charges of possession of drugs and trafficking in drugs, both third-degree felonies.

Raheem Bouyer faces charges of: four counts each of possession of drugs and trafficking in drugs, all first-degree felonies; and possession of drugs and trafficking in drugs, both second-degree felonies; possession of drugs and trafficking in drugs, both third-degree felonies; engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, a first-degree felony; and two counts of conspiracy to drug trafficking, a first-degree felony.

C. BOUYER

The Department of Homeland Security Special Response Team executed a search warrant in Gallipolis. This was identified as the residence of Tanya Lewis and Charles Bouyer, AKA

“Mack.” Charles Bouyer was identified as a high-level trafficker of fentanyl. Charles Bouyer was a confirmed associate to Wright and his drug trafficking operation. Charles Bouyer was also identified as trafficking from a Gallipolis location.

Charles Bouyer was taken into custody and is facing charges of: four counts each of possession of drugs and trafficking of drugs, all first-degree felonies; two counts conspiracy to drug trafficking, a first-degree felony; possession of drugs and trafficking in drugs, both second-degree felonies; possession of drugs and trafficking in drugs, both third-degree felonies; and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, a first-degree felony.

Additional search warrants were executed in Mason County, W.Va., by the DEA SWAT in Point Pleasant. Two residences were identified as being used by Wright and several other participants in drug trafficking. Jessica Wolfe was taken into custody at the scene.

Wolfe was taken into custody and is facing charges of: possession of drugs and trafficking in drugs.

R. BOUYER

Agents and detectives also executed another search warrant in Point Pleasant, and took Melissa Fetty into custody for her contributions to the drug trafficking operation. Fetty faces charges of possession of drugs and trafficking in drugs.

Seized at each search warrant were illegal drugs, cash, and firearms.

“This investigation was a coordinated effort involving multiple local, state, and federal agencies,” said Meigs County Sheriff Scott Fitch. “I would like to specially thank Mason County Sheriff Corey Miller, Gallia County Sheriff Matt Champlin, The Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), The Department of Homeland Security (HIS), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for their partnership during

this investigation. Rufus Wright Jr. is a major drug trafficker that has been residing in the Village of Pomeroy trafficking large quantities of drugs in our communities. Wright’s drug trafficking enterprise extends well across multiple states however locally it extends across Meigs, Gallia, and Mason counties. Through this investigation, we were able to shut down Rufus Wright Jr. along with other top-level conspirators from bringing drugs into Southeast Ohio and West Virginia. This will have an immediate impact on the availability of drugs in our area,” said Fitch.

“Today is a great day for the good guys, and the citizens, in our tri-county area. Today’s operation will impact the drug trade in our region in a major way by curbing the flow of large quantities of illicit narcotics that have been coming into and poisoning our communities. This operation today is a true illustration of the hard-working law enforcement professionals that we have in this region and the great working relationships that we have, which continues to benefit the citizens that we serve” said Champlin.

MOORE

“Today marks a tremendous success in the ongoing collaboration between county, state and federal law enforcement agencies. The countless hours invested in this investigation have led to results that will make a lasting, positive impact on communities across the tri-county area. I am incredibly proud of the dedication, persistence, and teamwork demonstrated by our local officers. Their hard work exemplifies the very best of public service and commitment to community safety,” said Miller.

SMITH

FETTY

WOLFE