MCDOWELL COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Two men were arrested on multiple felony drug charges following a traffic stop conducted by deputies with the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office on Friday evening.
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies conducted a traffic stop on June 5, 2026, which led to a criminal investigation.
As a result of the investigation, deputies arrested Tony Ward Jr. of Bluefield and James Valentine of Welch.
Authorities said both men were charged with multiple felony drug offenses after deputies allegedly discovered suspected controlled substances and a handgun during the investigation.
Additional details about the specific charges and the type of suspected narcotics recovered were not immediately released.
In a statement, the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office said it remains committed to aggressively combating the distribution of illegal narcotics within local communities and holding those responsible accountable under the law.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
