ATHENS COUNTY, Ohio — Authorities from the Southeast Major Crimes Drug Task Force responded to reports of drug activity at a property on Church House Road in Glouster on February 14th, 2023.
The property is controlled by Earl R. McKee, 50, and Melissa S. Foster, 44. During their investigation, detectives found two stolen all-terrain vehicles and subsequently obtained a search warrant for the camper and car on the property. They discovered multiple chainsaws, weed eaters, a firearm, drug paraphernalia, and suspected methamphetamine and fentanyl.
The Athens County Sheriff’s Office Environmental Division also responded to the scene due to evidence of illegal burning of tires, trash, and other debris. The applicable items seized will be sent to the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) for lab testing, and a request for charges will be sent to the Athens County Prosecutor’s Office.
The recovered stolen items will be returned to their rightful owner(s) in Hocking County. The investigation is ongoing, and the Athens County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information on the whereabouts of both McKee and Foster.
Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact the Athens County Sheriff’s Office at 740-593-6633 or the Athens County Prosecutor’s Office at 740-592-3208.
Sheriff Smith expressed gratitude to the Southeast Major Crimes Task Force, Athens County Prosecuting Attorney Keller J. Blackburn, Chief Investigator Jay Barrett, Investigators with the Athens County Prosecutor’s Office, and Deputies with the Athens County Sheriff’s Office for their efforts in this operation.