CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies arrested 59 people during a multi-week operation targeting noncompliant sex offenders, individuals wanted for sex crimes, violent fugitives and other wanted individuals across southern West Virginia.
U.S. Attorney Moore Capito, U.S. Marshal Jack Chambers and West Virginia State Police Colonel James Mitchell announced the results of “Operation Coal Country” on Wednesday.
The operation began Aug. 13 and concluded last week. Of the 59 people arrested, 16 were convicted sex offenders wanted for registration violations and 10 were charged with new sex offenses.
West Virginia State Police also conducted more than 380 compliance checks of registered sex offenders during the operation.
“Each arrest resulting from these targeted enforcement operations protects our communities and makes them safer,” Capito said. “The success of this operation continues the momentum we’ve created through dedicated, collaborative, and aggressive efforts with our law enforcement partners.”
Among those arrested was Clinton G. McNeely, 31, of Lyburn. A federal grand jury indicted McNeely on Aug. 18 on three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, two counts of receipt or attempted receipt of child pornography, one count of possession of child pornography and one count of production of obscene material.
McNeely was arrested Aug. 20.
Two convicted sex offenders were also indicted as part of the operation for allegedly violating the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, which requires registered sex offenders to keep their registrations current in jurisdictions where they live, work or attend school.
Five other people arrested during the operation face federal drug charges, while three allegedly violated federal supervised release and two allegedly violated the terms of their federal pretrial release.
Operation Coal Country focused heavily on sex offender compliance and fugitive apprehension in the West Virginia State Police Troop 5 area, which includes Boone, Cabell, Lincoln, Logan, Mingo and Wayne counties. Several people arrested face charges in other counties within the Southern District of West Virginia.
Authorities said the operation also resulted in the arrest of a fugitive wanted for murder in Florida who was captured in Dunbar. A suspect accused of sexually abusing a female juvenile family member in Parkersburg was arrested in Arizona.
Law enforcement also located a missing child following an alleged parental abduction in Wood County.
During the operation, officers seized 75.1 grams of fentanyl, 1.54 kilograms of methamphetamine, 33.3 grams of cocaine, approximately $6,000, one firearm and assorted ammunition.
“The success of Operation Coal Country demonstrates what can be accomplished when federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies combine their resources toward a common mission,” Chambers said.
“Fifty-nine arrests over the course of this operation means 59 wanted individuals were located and taken into custody. More importantly, this operation placed a significant emphasis on protecting our communities from individuals who have committed sex offenses or failed to comply with their registration requirements. The U.S. Marshals Service and West Virginia State Police will continue working together to investigate noncompliant sex offenders and apprehend dangerous fugitives throughout southern West Virginia.”
“When law enforcement works together, criminals have fewer places to hide,” Mitchell said. “Operation Coal Country shows the power of a coordinated, proactive approach to protecting our communities and holding offenders accountable. The West Virginia State Police is proud to stand with the U.S. Marshals Service and our law enforcement partners in doing everything we can to keep the people of West Virginia safe.”
The U.S. Marshals Service Southern District of West Virginia Cops United Felony Fugitive Enforcement Division Task Force and West Virginia State Police led the operation.
Numerous other agencies participated, including Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation, multiple sheriff’s offices and police departments throughout West Virginia, and U.S. Marshals Service fugitive task forces in Florida and Arizona.
Authorities noted that an indictment is an allegation and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
