CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Newly released federal court records provide additional details in the investigation that led to the arrest of Andrew H. Scoles, a Chillicothe man charged with federal firearms and drug trafficking offenses following an ATF raid at a Winona Boulevard residence.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives conducted a series of controlled drug purchases from Scoles at his residence at 146 Winona Blvd. in January 2026.
The affidavit, by ATF Special Agents, states that between Jan. 14 and Jan. 22, a confidential informant conducted two controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Scoles at the residence. Investigators said both transactions were monitored through physical surveillance and electronic audio and video recording equipment.
ATF investigators reported they were able to positively identify Scoles on video selling methamphetamine during both transactions — once in the garage and once inside the living room of the home. The affidavit states the combined weight of the methamphetamine purchased during the two transactions was approximately 128.2 grams. Field tests conducted after each purchase returned positive results for methamphetamine.
On Feb. 6, federal agents executed a search warrant at the Winona Boulevard residence. According to court records, Scoles’s brother, Albert Scoles, was present during the search, along with two other individuals staying in a camper located on the property.
During the search, investigators recovered approximately eight firearms from the residence, including an Anderson AM-15 rifle with an obliterated serial number found in a closet near the downstairs kitchen. This is in addition to the dozens of firearms previously seized by the Chillicothe Police Department during its investigation into the October shooting.
Andrew Scoles is charged with possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), and with distribution of 50 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(B)(viii).
Scoles remains in federal custody and is being held at the Franklin County jail following his initial court appearance in Columbus.
The residence had previously been the site of a Chillicothe police investigation stemming from an October 2025 shooting in which Andrew Scoles was identified as the victim. That case reportedly involved a domestic dispute between Albert and Andrew, resulting in the seizure of dozens of firearms, drugs, and cash by local authorities. Charges in the shooting case were later dropped at the request of Andrew Scoles.
Because the case is now being handled in federal court, the ATF has said it cannot release additional information. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is handling further proceedings for the Southern District of Ohio.
The Guardian reached out to a local firearms company, who released a statement through their public relations firm, “As a firearms expert with over 10 in the industry with firearms, and designing and manufacturing custom holsters and accessories at First Capital Tactical, we’ve seen firsthand how law enforcement works to protect public safety,” said Radiance Public Relations, who represents local firearms holster company, First Capital Tactical. “In cases like this, where a convicted felon is found with multiple firearms, including one with an obliterated serial number, it shows the serious risks of illegal possession. Obliterated serial numbers often signal an intent to evade traceability, which can facilitate further criminal activity. Recovering eight firearms from a felon’s residence, especially one tied to methamphetamine distribution, is great work, and First Capital Tactical is proud to serve the men and women who work to protect our communities from dangerous thugs like this one.”