Oxycontin News Blog

A massive drug sweep in Marietta and Washington County netted 13 individuals Thursday on felony charges including trafficking and possession of drugs.

Another nine drug-related arrests are anticipated as area law enforcement officers continue to serve warrants.

The arrests are the result of a six-month investigation conducted by the Washington County Drug Team, which is comprised of members from nearly all local law enforcement agencies.

Thursday's arrests also brought the year-old Washington County Jail to capacity for the first time. The jail's capacity is 124 inmates. Prior to Thursday the jail's highest population was 115 and it typically averages a population of about 90.

Washington County Sheriff Larry Mincks said although many of the people charged in the drug sweep knew each other, none were organized in their efforts. He said making all of the arrests at once will have a crippling effect on drug sales in the area and also prevent suspects from fleeing the area when a police informant is exposed during court hearings.

Sixteen officers from Marietta and Belpre police departments and the Washington County Sheriff's Office began serving the warrants shortly before 10 a.m. Thursday.

Mincks said since local law enforcement has experienced a newfound level of cooperation with the inception of the drug team in January. He said he feels like the group is starting to make headway to reduce the amount of illegal narcotics bought and sold in Washington County.

The drug team has launched 109 felony level investigations in nine months.

Eighteen of the 22 warrants issued Thursday were for residents living within Marietta city limits.

Marietta residents Kathy and Donald Brown said they were pleased to hear of the warrants and arrests.

Donald Brown questioned if arrests alone would be enough.

Deane W. Kehl, 58, of 836 St. Marys Ave., Marietta, for trafficking in Oxycontin, a fourth-degree felony.

Miriam Sergent, 43, of 1023 Greene St., Marietta, for trafficking in Oxycontin, a fourth-degree felony.

Carrie A. Anderson, 29, of 274 Ridgewood Court Apt. F, Marietta, for trafficking in Vicodin in the presence of juveniles, a fourth-degree felony.

Naomi R. Currey, 44, of 213 Cedar St., Marietta, for trafficking in a bulk amount of Vicodin within 1000 feet of a school, a third-degree felony.

Justin B. Davis, 23, of 213 Cedar St., Marietta, for trafficking in Vicodin within 1,000 feet of a school, a fourth-degree felony.

Joshua S. Gibson, 21, of 109 Washington St., Marietta, for trafficking in marijuana in the presence of a juvenile and within 1,000 feet of a school, a fourth-degree felony.

Anna D. Queen, 40, of 1103 Colonial Drive, Marietta, for trafficking in Vicodin in the presence of juveniles, a fourth-degree felony.

Susan A. Mentzer, 50, of 705 Ninth St., Marietta, for trafficking in Vicodin in a bulk amount, a fourth-degree felony.

Jeffrey D. Turner, 39, of 195 Poinciana St., Newport, for trafficking in powder cocaine, a fifth-degree felony.

Jeffrey Els, 23, of 229 Oakwood Ave., Marietta, for trafficking in heroin within the vicinity of a school, a fourth-degree felony.

Robert J. Becker Jr., 60, of 1023 Greene St., Marietta, for trafficking Oxycontin, a fourth-degree felony.

Cynthia K. Dailey, 31, of 836 Pike St. Apt. 12, Marietta, for passing bad checks to purchase narcotics, a fifth-degree felony.

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