CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A two-week warrant sweep by the U.S. Marshals CUFFED Task Force in Southern West Virginia resulted in 40 felony arrests, authorities announced.
The operation, known as Operation Shake Down, was conducted from May 5 to May 16 by the Southern District of West Virginia’s Cops United Felony Fugitive Enforcement Division (CUFFED).
In addition to the arrests, law enforcement recovered 40 grams of methamphetamine, one ounce of fentanyl, and five firearms.
The individuals taken into custody were wanted on a variety of serious felony charges, including kidnapping, sexual assault, soliciting a minor via computer, possession with intent to deliver and distribute controlled substances, armed robbery, weapons offenses, child neglect causing risk of injury, burglary, and failure to register as a sex offender.
Among the notable arrests:
- Christopher Spaulding, 53, of Ripley, was wanted in Jackson County for possession with intent to deliver controlled substances and for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Authorities say Spaulding has ties to the Aryan Brotherhood and Jokers 1% Motorcycle Club.
- Kirk Donovan Thomas, 36, of Charleston, had been evading law enforcement since 2023 and was wanted for failure to register as a sex offender. He also faced a circuit court capias warrant out of Putnam County. After his arrest, additional charges were filed in Kanawha County.
- Dwayne Edward White Jr., 27, of Ripley, was wanted in Jackson County for delivery of methamphetamine. He has self-proclaimed gang affiliations.
- David Argueta-Marquez, 29, originally from El Salvador and living in Lyburn, was wanted in Harris County, Texas, for aggravated kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault of a child. He was located and arrested in Kimper, Kentucky. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is also investigating him, and he is believed to be a member of the 18th Street Gang in El Salvador.
Additionally, two men were federally indicted as a result of U.S. Marshals Service investigations:
- Ronald Tinsley, 52, of Charleston, was indicted by a federal grand jury for escape after allegedly fleeing Bureau of Prisons custody on March 19.
- Paul Charles Clement, 42, of Hillsboro, was indicted for violations of the Adam Walsh Act. He is accused of failing to register as a sex offender after moving to West Virginia.
Both men are currently in custody.
“I would like to thank our partner agencies across Southern West Virginia for dedicating officers to the CUFFED Task Force,” said Michael T. Baylous, U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of West Virginia.
“Their commitment and dedication have allowed the CUFFED Task Force to become one of the most efficient and effective in the country at apprehending fugitives.”
