“I can promise you this: there is more to come.” –Mingo County Sheriff Joe Smith
BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — Six people were arrested during a drug bust Nov. 16 in Williamson, W.Va., after a long investigation into drug trafficking in Mingo County. On Friday, two more individuals were arrested.
According to the U.S. Marshals Southern District of West Virginia, they, along with Cops United Felony Fugitive Enforcement Division (CUFFED) and the Mingo County Sheriff’s Office, made the arrests during a drug trafficking investigation that they say had been taking place over the past two years.
“We got the DEA involved from the start,” Mingo County Sheriff Joe Smith said of the lengthy investigation.
Christopher “Scrap” Jackson, age 37, of Williamson, 37-year-old Kenneth Warren, also of Williamson, 27-year-old Tyran Turner, of Pittsburgh, 24-year-old Dennis Horn of Williamson and 20-year-old Lauren Horn of Williamson, were all arrested on felony drug charges.
Jackson is a former high school football player and has had previous arrests.
Warren was arrested in Pike County in February of this year by Kentucky State Police. Court records state those charges were first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance (methamphetamine), first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance (cocaine), possession of drug paraphernalia, tampering with physical evidence and violating probation.
Jasie West, 22, of Williamson, was also taken into custody on felony warrants stemming from a drive-by shooting in Williamson.
On Friday, two more arrests were made in connection to the drug sting.
Jordan Paige, 32, of Williamson, was arrested by deputies for possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance. This was for three counts each.
Deshawn Gaines, aka “Juice,” age 26, also of Williamson, was arrested by deputies for possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.
The Marshals office says 8 ounces of methamphetamine and fentanyl, four firearms and $14,000 in cash were seized during the operation.
“I want to thank the citizens of Mingo County for their patience. The Mingo County Sheriff’s office does its due diligence in protecting this county. I’d also like to thank the U.S. Marshals CUFFED Task Force for this great partnership. I commend the case agents for their extensive work developing this investigation,” said Sheriff Smith. “I can promise you this: there is more to come.”
Southern District of West Virginia U.S. Marshal Michael Baylous said, “I want to thank Sheriff Joe Smith for his investment of Task Force Officers assigned to the USMS CUFFED Task Force. This operation in memory of Sgt. Terry Toney was a perfect example of how a Task Force can be used as a force multiplier to take drugs, guns, and dangerous fugitives off the streets.”
