HOCKING COUNTY, Ohio — Several people were arrested for drugs and outstanding warrants in a sting operation.
On Wednesday, the Hocking County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. 23 Major Crimes Task Force with assistance from the United States Marshal Service’s Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (SOFAST) executed several arrest warrants. The warrants were the result of long-term narcotics investigations conducted by Hocking County Sheriff’s Interdiction Unit Detectives assigned to the U.S. 23 Major Crimes Task Force, which is the drug task force that serves Fayette, Highland, Hocking, Pike and Ross Counties.
Hocking County Sheriff Lanny E. North said, “Many of yesterday’s arrestees were indicted on high level felony charges which were the results of very complex, in-depth, and long-term investigations.”
Hocking County Prosecuting Attorney Ryan R. Black said: “I would like to thank SOFAST and the partner agencies for their exemplary work in rounding up a significant number of individuals deeply involved in significant drug crimes. My Office looks forward to prosecuting these cases aggressively and we aim to continually support law enforcement’s efforts in removing these dangerous and deadly drugs, and their sellers, from the community, by doing our part in the courtroom.”
Peter C. Tobin, United States Marshal for the Southern District of Ohio stated: “Our Deputy US Marshals and Task Force Officers were happy to be part of yesterday’s operation. Hunting down and arresting wanted fugitives is dangerous but important work. I want to commend all who went out yesterday and those who conducted the investigations that led up to this day.”
The Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (SOFAST) is a fugitive-focused, United States Marshals Service-led task force consisting of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
