CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — Thirty-five people are facing charges following a drug round-up in Harrison County, the local Drug Task Force reported Thursday.
Bridgeport Chief of Police John Walker announced Thursday that officers with The Greater Harrison County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force joined officers from seven other agencies to begin effecting arrest warrants for 34 people under investigation over the past year.
“It’s a never ending endeavor,” Walker said at a Thursday afternoon press conference. “Law enforcement officers, like our residents, are becoming very frustrated with those individuals who pray on our community. Our patience is wearing thin.”
The Mountaineer Highway Interdiction Team, Bridgeport Police Department, Clarksburg Police Department, Harrison County Sheriff’s Department, WV State Police, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), and ATF assisted in the round-up.
“We are tired of crimes being committed that are related to the pursuance of drugs,” Walker said. “We are tired of addicts of coming into the resident’s homes uninvited through unlocked doors.”
As of two p.m. Thursday afternoon, 16 people were in police custody. Walker said the names of the additional suspects will be released, but not until they are in police custody.
“They are out their searching for the rest of them,” Walker said.
“These individuals that are selling narcotics, causing crime, disruption in our community, have to be held accountable,” Harrison County Sheriff Robert Matheny said. “Today is an example of that. We are holding 34 different people accountable today. I’m sure in the next few weeks, months, and over the next year there will be many more.”
Although the initial round-up included 34 state-issued warrants, officers took another person into custody following the discovery of more than 200 packets of heroin and a firearm. The heroin was valued at approximately $2,500.
“Drug dealers beware,” Matheny said. “We have a unified effort and we’re coming for you.”
Listed below are those currently in police custody.
- Eric Chocky
- Bryan Chocky
- Michelle Criss
- Lepha Ables
- Catherine McEldowney
- Joseph Brannon — served at North Central Regional Jail
- Christopher Messenger
- Casey Jo Richards
- Lance Bowers
- Jaechavar Williams
- Kelley Olivero — served at Central Regional Jail
- Jonathon Hall
- Lexie Wright
- Charles Whittaker
- James Toll
- Erica Herrod
Herrod was not initially part of the state-issued warrants. The discovery of heroin and a firearm at a residence in the Northview area of Clarksburg led to her arrest Thursday.