WIRT COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Eighteen individuals were arrested on July 1 as part of “Operation Blackjack,” a large-scale drug trafficking investigation that authorities say is the biggest in Wirt County’s history.
The Wirt County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announced the arrests following a multi-agency operation targeting drug distribution in the area.
The investigation involved the Wirt County Sheriff’s Department, Wirt County EMS, Parkersburg Narcotics Task Force, West Virginia State Police, and several state and local agencies.
Those arrested and charged include:
- Burton Paul Copen, 40, of Elizabeth – Four counts of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.
- Timothy Andrew Bailey, 60, of Elizabeth – Three counts of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, four counts of conspiracy, and two additional counts of the same drug-related charge.
- Jesse William Woods, 43, of Elizabeth – Two counts of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, two counts of conspiracy, and one count of distribution of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school.
- Jonathan Cade Smarr, 35, of Elizabeth – Three counts of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, two counts of conspiracy, and one count of distribution within 1,000 feet of a school.
- Michelle D. Gearheart, 49, of Elizabeth – Five counts of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, two counts of distribution within 1,000 feet of a school, two additional counts of the same drug offense, and one count of conspiracy.
- Jodi Sheree McClead, 46, of Elizabeth – Two counts of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.
- Jerry Ray Shepard, 60, of Elizabeth – Three counts of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (under W.Va. Code § 60A-4-401(a)(i)), two additional counts under W.Va. Code § 60A-4-401(a)(ii), and four counts of conspiracy.
- Brandon Lee Baker, 23, of Elizabeth – Two counts of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and two counts of conspiracy.
- Dakota Leigh Stutler, 25, of Elizabeth – Two counts of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and two counts of conspiracy.
- Caleb Daniel McClung, 41, of Elizabeth – Three counts of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, four counts of conspiracy, and one count of gross neglect of a child creating a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury.
- Cindy Lynn Givens, 37, of Elizabeth – Six counts of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, four counts of conspiracy, and one count of gross neglect of a child.
- Glenna Conley, 58, of Elizabeth – Two counts of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and one count of conspiracy.
- Todd Clark Young, 36, of Elizabeth – One count of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and one count of conspiracy.
- Johnathan Michael Corrigan, 31, of Elizabeth – Six counts of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.
- Robert Lee Franklin, 33, of Elizabeth – Five counts of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.
- Joshua Charles Hutchinson, 32, of Elizabeth – One count of possession of a controlled substance and one count of obstruction of a law enforcement officer.
Additional arrest warrants were served during the operation.
