PIKE COUNTY, Ohio — During the month of December, the Southern Ohio Organized and Major Crimes Task Force conducted a month-long operation called “Operation Silent Night” to target illegal activity such as drugs, guns, and stolen property in Pike, Ross, and Scioto Counties. The operation was carried out with the assistance of multiple law enforcement agencies, including the US 23 Major Crimes Task Force, Pike County Sheriff’s Office, and Portsmouth Police Department.
As a result of the operation, 18 suspects were arrested at various locations and times. During the arrests, large amounts of suspected methamphetamine and fentanyl were seized, as well as numerous handguns, rifles, shotguns, and stolen vehicles such as ATVs, motorcycles, and automobiles.
On December 8, 2022, Steven Richards and Brooke Weaver were arrested at a residence in Latham, Ohio, on charges of receiving stolen property and having weapons under disability. On December 15, 2022, Joseph Amburgey, Kaylee Perkins, Victoria Harris, and Donald “Catfish” Henson were arrested in Waverly, Ohio, where a large amount of suspected methamphetamine and stolen ATVs were found, along with drug paraphernalia and firearms. The suspects face charges of aggravated drug possession, aggravated drug trafficking, obstructing justice, having weapons under disability, receiving stolen property, and obstructing official business.
On December 22, 2022, three search warrants were executed simultaneously at three different locations in Pike County. Rick Kinzer was arrested at 183 Guilkey Road in Bainbridge, Ohio, where suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were found. William Stigall, Amanda Bellomy, Steven Angel, Robert Collier, and Erica Artressia were arrested at the 3900 block of Long Fork Road in Piketon, Ohio, where suspected fentanyl, stolen ATVs, motor vehicles, and motorcycles were found. Autumn Satterfield, Sharon Kingston, and Christopher Elliott were arrested at the 700 block of River Road in Waverly, Ohio, where suspected fentanyl, drug paraphernalia, and firearms, including one with no serial number, were found. The suspects face charges of aggravated drug trafficking, aggravated drug possession, having weapons under disability, failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer, felonious assault on a police officer, and receiving stolen property.
On December 23, 2022, Eric Scott was arrested in Pike County on warrants by indictment for drug trafficking and drug possession. On December 28, 2022, April Estep was arrested by Pike County Adult Probation on warrants by indictment for drug trafficking and drug possession.
The cases and incidents from Operation Silent Night are still under investigation, and more charges are expected to be presented to a future Pike County Grand Jury.