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.
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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.
