ATHENS COUNTY, Ohio — An extensive investigation into drug trafficking in Athens County has led to the arrest of a Stewart man who is accused of dealing drugs near a school zone. On August 28th, 2024, detectives with the Athens County Task Force secured an arrest warrant for 36-year-old Ronald J. Estep after gathering significant evidence linking him to drug-related activities both within Athens County and the city limits of Athens.
Detectives located Estep at his home in Stewart, Ohio, and arrested him without incident. He was then transported to the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail and is being held on several charges: Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F3), Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F5), Aggravated Trafficking of Drugs (F2), and Aggravated Trafficking of Drugs (F3). Some charges were elevated due to the proximity of the alleged trafficking to a school zone.
Sheriff Smith emphasized the severity of the crime, stating, “Trafficking drugs in a school zone is not just a crime, it’s an act that endangers our children, undermines their safety, and threatens the very foundation of our community. We will pursue these offenders with every resource at our disposal to ensure that our schools remain a safe haven for learning, free from the shadow of illegal activity.”
