Drug Roundup Ends in 21 Arrests; 4 Still Wanted
Save Email Print
Updated: 3:45 PM Oct 27, 2009
Drug Roundup Ends in 21 Arrests; 4 Still Wanted
More than 1,000 oxycodone and alprazolam tablets were seized along with crack cocaine and money following a three month investigation by the Lawrence County, Ohio Drug and Major Crimes Task Force.
Posted: 3:45 PM Oct 27, 2009
Reporter: WSAZ News Staff
Email Address: news@wsaz.com
width:320 and height: 240 and picwidth: 213 and pciheight: 159
Font Size:

IRONTON, Ohio (WSAZ) -- Twenty-one people are under arrest and police are looking for four others following a three month investigation by the Lawrence County, Ohio Drug and Major Crimes Task Force.

Lawrence County Prosecutor J.B. Collier says the 25 people face various drugs charges.

Collier says during the arrests, six residences were searched and more than 1,000 oxycodone and alprazolam tablets were seized along with crack cocaine and money.

Collier also says during the investigations it was discovered a number of the defendants were providing individuals with cash to travel to pain clinics in Florida to bring back the oxycodone and alprazolam pills.

The prosecutor says those who traveled to the clinics would be given half of the pills, while the defendants were making roughly $3000 TO $5000 each off their half of the pills.

Here is the list of those arrested according to the Lawrence County, Oho Prosecutor:

Crystal Waulk, 28 ,South Point
Kenneth Waulk, Jr., 32, Ironton
Larry Blankenship, 40, South Point
Robert Esque, Jr., 21, Ironton
Michael Bailey, 23, Ironton
Sarah Brace, 20, Ironton
Madison Kelly, 21, Ironton
Paul Sisler, 48, Ironton
Martin Stapleton, 51, Ironton
Gladys Lewis, 64, Ironton
Frank Zeigler, 48, Ironton
Robert Watkins, 23, Ironton
Carlton Davis, 38, Coal Grove
Brittany Lyons, 20, Coal Grove
Linda Rosebrough, 59, Ironton
Devon Murrell, 22, Ironton
George Clutters, 53, Ironton
Adam Ross, 23, Ironton
Juandell Mitchell, 22, Columbus
Diane Waddell, 57, Ironton
Amanda Blake, 29, Ironton

The following people are still at large:

Raymond Brown, 51, Ironton
Didrie Riffe, 36, Coal Grove
Brandon Justice, 23, Ironton
David McKee, 26, Ironton

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the suspects still at large are asked to call the Lawrence county Sheriff’s Office at 740-532-3525 or the task force hotline at 740-534-5830.

Latest Comments

Posted by: barbara on Oct 31, 2009 at 01:26 PM

The way I see it they need to shut the school down and test all of the teacher's and students cause we need to no for sure were ok for the kid's saftey and the parents.
Posted by: ANON on Oct 31, 2009 at 11:21 AM

I WONDER IF WE COULD GET THERE DRUG TASK FORCE TO COME TO MEIGS COUNTY CAUSE WE NEED ALL THE HELP WE CAN GET HERE.
Posted by: Christopher on Oct 30, 2009 at 01:24 AM

one of these people is out of jail,one was or is still married to a police officer.i hope you get whats coming to you.people of your kind,make life harder on the honest people in this world.your addiction turns you into theives.come around my door!!! forget the dog,beware of OWNER!!!im writing this because i am unfortunately having to deal with some of these numbnuts.and there are childrn involved.
More Stories
Go to our mobile site | Make this your homepage (IE)
Live Feed Now on the Always On Channel
Search for WV, OH, KY Local Businesses:
Popular Searches
Powered by Local.com
CNN.com News Headlines
WSAZ.com Most Popular / Most Comments
PHONE IN YOUR YELLS TO: 1-866-616-5354
The Yell: Comments this Week
The Yell: Comments for Week of 3/14
  • Posted By: John: Hey freedom,did you ever take into consideration that smoking bans do cost bar owners and in many cases the very people you are trying to save jobs for many times lose them anyway,they knew the dangers when they took the jobs they dont have to work there and many bartenders rely on tips to make a decent income they are not paid minimum wage so if there are no patrons that means no tips and an 8 hr shift would pay about $30 I ran a bar and when the smoking ban was passed it went belly up in a matter of 3 months and the bartenders went from a good night of $100-$150 to less than $30 to nothing at all it is not the bartenders who propose these bans and everyone I hired smoked themselves as did 90% of the patrons which were regulars and the other 10% could have cared less but the health dept with all their wisdom put these 8 girls out of work and on welfare which the tax payers have to foot the bill for
  • Posted By: Christina: To Dave, I absolutely do not support abortion! It's not the womans or anyones right to kill an unborn baby. Again you have the right to choose life or death, but what right does the baby have? If the baby is not wanted then give the baby up for adoption, but don't kill the baby. And to George. You missed the point. If someone wants to smoke, or drink, that is their choice. However, the babies did not have a choice to smoke or not. Your wife chose to continue smoking before she got pregnant and continued smoking even after finding out she was pregnant. If she would have stopped then, the baby's would not have been in danger of stress. But after being born, they had to go through withdrawl, just the same as an adult. Now to MK, I've worked hard my entire life, have never been on welfare, and never received any free health care for myself or my children. I have to pay for our health insurance at the rate of $724.38 a month. Which we work to provide!
  • Posted By: Freedom is not Free: Someone pays the price for it. Smokers are behaving like spoiled brats wanting their right to smoke in a bar. The bar owner may want to decide whether to be smoke/non smoke. But what of the workers? With jobs scarce, they may not have the option of moving out of a smoke environment. You want the right to go sit for a few hours an evening smoking while you drink. Then you can go home. But these workers have to be there, night after night, breathing the smoke from possibly a thousand cigs a night, whether they are smokers or not. Paying the price for your freedom. Some may not even stop to think about how that is harming them as they work. When will people understand that they are not the center of the universe? Take your smoking outside where it harms only you as you are the ones choosing it. Stop believing we have the right to force others to breathe it. It use to be the in thing to smoke, so many young people tried it. If they now see they will be isolated, many will not choose it.
  • Posted By: Walt: The latest NBC poll (that I've seen...Tuesday March 16) says that 46% think we should pass Obama's health care bill, against 45% who think we shouldn't.
  • Posted By: MK: Curt you are absolutely correct about the cigarette taxes. I guarantee Christina and the like are enjoying free heath care for their children (CHIPS) which is funded purely off of tobacco taxes. You see Obama has already raised taxes for the smokers for this little increase in CHIPS coverage. Note: Most smokers do not make 250K.
  • Posted By: Margaret: Smoking ban.I understand why people dont want to breathe second hand smoke and all the problems that smoking causes.However I dont think that the lawmakers have the right to ban smokers from smoking.It should be a personal decision,a great comprimise could be easily reached and would be fair to all.Let the bar owners decide if they want to allow smoking in thier bar.If the owner decides that they want to allow smoking they would be required by law to place a sign on the door that states is is a smoking establishment ,enter at your own risk.It would replace the no smoking signs on the doors!Then people could choose whether they want to enter and breathe smoke or go to another bar that is non-smoking.That would make everyone happy.The smokers can smoke and the non-smokers wont have to tolerate second hand smoke.
  • Posted By: Palins Poison by Andy: Sarah Palin is a nit wit who spreads lies on every topic she speaks on. She claimed that Alaska produces 20% of our nations energy when it's actually under 3%!!! This is her OWN state! This woman was a breath away from being our VP! She claimed that the Christmas Day bomber stopped talking after being read his Miranda rights, which of course is not true and he has talked extensively providing info on all the points that Mrs Palin mentioned. She claims several times that health care reform will result in "death panels" which will decide who will receive health care. Just about every American is aware that this is a LIE and has been proven to be a lie over and over and yet she still uses this claim to put fear into Americans. I ask, if you have to stoop to lies and fear mongering to get someone on your side do you really have a leg to stand on?
  • Posted By: why i quit...: i used to watch wsaz almost exclusivly,not anymore.i generally flip thru and watch whats on their liberal agenda just to see if i,m wrong.very seldom am.tea party people are thought of as the perverted hollywood types,if you know what i mean.so i for one will be surprised if wsaz covers the taxed enough already people.on the other hand if you dont,wont work,are a drug addict,alchol abuser,lazy,live off other peoples hard work,they cant do enough reporting on their victimization.go figure.go tea party,decent people.keep on trying to get above the people who seem determined to destroy this country.wsaz,p.c.
  • Posted By: buck: What good does it do to evaluate a bill once it is passed on its merits? Can you say puppet on a string? Furthermore a 3000% drop is nuts. Mathematician not needed to know 3000% is totally out of this world. What this means is Obama has no idea what is in the bill. Obama said this already and still it’s being voted on. I just hope our congressman realize Obama is being a puppet on a string, but they don't have to be one to. Our president is trying to pass a bill that he is relying on someone else to write and he has not even read. I know our congressman read this page so please pay attention to what we the people want, and what Pres. Obama has admitted to. Again I say, he said we as well as he would know what was in the bill once it passed on its own merits, to include a 3000% decrease in premiums. This is totally not fair to we the people. I know there will be people who disagree with this, but again I say that is Obama's own words. He has no idea.
  • Posted By: what is...: how can you tell an anti semite from a muslim?can free speech even say the word anti semite?this administration seems to want to inflame the palestians against the israelies.whats with that?you dont put out a fire by throwing gasoline on it!!!!what is the end game for this administration?strange....
  • Posted By: to... hey wsaz...: are you kidding,that wouldnt be fair to obama,all the elitest liberals.some people might see the truth and be sorry they votd fo these reprobates.the truth shall set you free is a statement ive heard all my life,but free speech will hurt the cause.marxism,socialism,communism,etc.rules for radicals,tell boobs anything they want to hear but keep on with the cause.
  • Posted By: Drunken Sailor: Did anybody see the report today that said Obama and the democrats have added 2 trillion to the debt since he took office? I thought he was supposed to lower the debt. I also saw an NBC poll that said Americans dont want a government takeover of the healthcare system by a 48-36% margin, a clear majority.
  • Posted By: curt: it just amazes me to see that most of you smoking ban commy,s out their like the health department and others would like to make smoking illegal all together,and when this does happen one day as Im sure it will if things keep going the way they are in this country,then I hope you enjoy digging deep down in your wallet and purse to pay the taxes that we smokers pay on a daily basis ,because one thing is for sure if big brother isnt getting his money from us then he will steal it from everybody?
  • Posted By: Hey Channel 3: Are you guys covering the Taxed Enough Already (TEA) party protest outside Rahall's office in Huntington tonight at 6? I heard today that Obamacare will create 159 new federal agencies and raise taxes by over a Trillion dollars.
  • Posted By: Jim: keith your welcome,but now on a more serious note on this health care bill I know it is going to need work and I wish there had been more input from the republicans because I know they could have come up with good points if they had tried and we really do need reform.some of the cost vary so much from place to place as I told Bluebird my wife recently had a stroke ou8r local in state hospital which is 50 miles away from our home will not even give the clot buster shot which saved her life and allowed for the fantastic recovery she has had the other hospital we took her to 30 miles away out of state does give it which I am greatful for but the place is not that great you enter you take a #just like a diner and they call your # now serving #41 and you are waited on this shot is $15000 there the same shot at OSU medical center in Columbus is in the $6000 range can you explain that to me or can anyone
  • Posted By: obamas world...: give the muslim brotherhood what they want,take israels land .instigating more terrorism on the israelies.what will he cover up in indonesia?so many questions so few transparent answers.
  • Posted By: Sahara: What happened to Chris Olson? We just loved to watch the Morning Coffee Quiz?
  • Posted By: portsmouth citizen: I would like to see WSAZ cover the nut mayor we have in Portsmouth. She is trying to blame our fire dept and police dept for the problems in Portsmouth, while she gives herself a raise and remodeled her office. She forgot to mention that there is asbestos and mold so bad in the police station that officers are in as much danger in the building as they are fighting crime. She also forgot to mention that the fire department works their tails off to protect our city, and do not make great money, but do it with amazing passion. Before she blames these men and women, she needs to take a look at herself. She interupted a man very rudely that was speaking in front of a group, and when he said, maam, can you give me just a minute, she yelled at him for not calling her Madam mayor!!! What a power trip! We need to get her out of there! Come on WSAZ, cover this nut, and get the word out there!
  • Posted By: Anne: FYI to a few callous veterinarians in the region: Our pets are very dear to us. Unfortunately, when their bodies cannot be saved, and they have to be "put to sleep", some kindness would be greatly appreciated. Some reverance, consideration for the pet and the people involved, and basic kindness would be helpful in dealing with this horrible experience. Shame on those of you who do none of the above; a huge thank you to those of you who act with some semblance of respect.
  • Posted By: Keith...thanks Jim: No offense, I just didn't know what you were trying to say. Clarification is good sometimes. I have noticed the people who call names the most on here and impugn other folks intelligence are often the worst spellers, can't put a sentence together, often can't carry a coherent thought to completion, etc..but I often say "corpseman" now when talking about those folks in the Navy, just as a tribute mind you, no disrespect intended. I am going to study geography now, my family is planning a vacation to one of our 57 states, we just haven't decided which one, we just have to remember and take our asthma "inhilators" along so we don't get winded.
  • Posted By: plain as day: well i see wsaz,obama news has slowed,stopped free speech 3 days.
  • Posted By: george: to christina:support the smoking ban in your own home and keep your nose out of others business!! how bright you must be,for your info my wife had twin girls,and the doctor told her NOT to quit because it would cause stress on the babies. thats from a doctor which im sure by far your not!!! so you want to chrg. her with child abuse,how foolish are you!! you need to worry about whats in your own closet and not everybody elses!!!!
  • Posted By: Jeremy C: I agree with Christina though I'd go a step further and clear this up once and for all and make cigarettes illegal.
  • Posted By: Dave: @christina do you support a womans right to abortion? Just a question, I am curious. The health department does not have the right to make any laws, only elected offficials, elected by the people are supposed to pass laws. If the majority of people want a smoking ban, the ban smoking. But don't leave up to appointed officials in the Dept. of health. smoking is bad, but smoking bans are unconstitutional, and that is worse.
  • Posted By: Big Earl: Hello good WV coal miners and there kin did any of you people see that show on the PBS channel the other night about WVs own Rocket Boys Homer RoyLee Quintin and Sherman Odell can somebody at Governor Joes office tell these people down to the TV station to quit bumming money while were trying to watch the show last time it was WVs own adopted son John Denver singing Country Roads Take Me Home got interupted or WV adopted son John Boy Walton doing the talk over on the history of WV show getting cutoff who is the people that sits around talking on the phone in the back of the room you are trying to watch the show next thing somebody comes on trying to sell you a Edsel or a 200 dollar t shirt it is the working coal miner what keeps the PBS station afloat they ought to give all certified WV coal miners free Rocket Boy tshirts.
  • Posted By: Christina: I support the ban on smoking. All studies show the dangers of this recreation. Now; when is someone going to be bold enough to create and pass a law that charges and convicts woman who smoke while pregnant of CHILD ABUSE? The baby does not have the choice to smoke or not to smoke, but YOU do!
  • Posted By: Hey Everybody We Are All Getting A BIG RAISE!!!: Obama said that if his health care bill passes costs would drop an incredible 3000%!!! That means your boss will save sooooo much money under his system he/she can afford to give you a big raise! Now if you pay $1000 dollars a month for your coverage, a 100% savings on that would mean you pay zero dollars; a 3000% drop in cost would mean what, your employer saves or gets back from somewhere around $3000 to $30,000 dollars? No, I am not making this up; I heard Obama say it. Great news. Why wouldnt anybody support Obamacare. Boy that Bush sure was dumb.
  • Posted By: Keith...if you love your country and cherish your freedom, act now...: The way things should be in America: Barack Obama decides something is good for us, it becomes law. Period. Vote on a bill? Why? Read a bill? No need. Televise the hearings? What a joke. Barack says it, that settles it. Oh, Garydon, where are you now that there are real "faceists" at work? Folks, it will be a long, difficult fight this fall, but Nick J. Rahall must be defeated in the House election. He has carried the water for Obama and Pelosi on this Obamanation healthcare bill from the start; he was one of the first to endorse Obama; he is largely protected by WV media, who refuse even to publish his office phone numbers in order that you can call and voice your opinion; Nick and Nancy's bill raises 10 new taxes immediately; gives no "benefits" for 4 years; will ration your care, will raise your premiums, will limit your choices. Sound like a good deal? If you possibly can, log onto the League of American Voters website and contribute to the ads they are running...hurry, do it now.
  • Posted By: Jim: Keith,mirrows an often mispelled and mispronounced word for mirrors,believed to be attributed by an abbreviated note from an illusionist to his aide to line mirrors in a row to cause an optical effect of seeing the same thing over and over again much like the republicans telling stories whether true or not over and over again only to recant after the damage is done.Myself I use the word as a tribute to a person we both know who often mispronounced the word matter of fact he mispronounced so many words and made up so many that there was a term coined after him Bushism's
  • Posted By: Big Earl: Hello good coal miner people of WV and there kin did you people see where the WV Mountaineer basketball team is going to what they call the Big Dance well I say congratulations I heard them people from over on the McCoy side of the river is to well I bet Coach Huggins won’t be dragging a tree hugger around everywhere with him sticking a camera in her face ever time they call timeout as his Number 1 fan I say pack the muzzle loader and go hunt treehugger wildcat did you people ever read that story where our own Devil Ance Hatfield off the WV side of the river hunted wildcat with his bare hands he treed a bear to I read it in that book Story of the Devil hey you hippies and dopeheads head back over to Ohio and cheer for your buckeye nuts look out Shaggy it’s the WV State Police ruh roh Scooby hide the dope.
Click Here to Read Story and Post Comments
First Warning Hour-By-Hour Forecasts
+ Ashland, KY
+ Athens, OH
+ Beckley, WV
+ Charleston, WV
+ Clarksburg, WV
+ Clay, WV
+ Gallipolis, OH
+ Huntington, WV
+ Ironton, OH
+ Logan, WV
+ Morgantown, WV 		+ Paintsville, KY
+ Parkersburg, WV
+ Pikeville, KY
+ Pomeroy, OH
+ Portsmouth,OH
+ Ripley, WV
+ Spencer, WV
+ Sutton, WV
+ Wayne, WV
+ Wheeling, WV
+ Williamson, WV
WSAZ.com Sponsor Sections & Links
Healthy Tri-State
Cabell Huntington Hospital and the Huntington YMCA are helping you to live a healthier lifestyle
Healthy Connections Healthy Connections
Find a local health professional
WV Lottery
Nightly drawings and numbers
SOMC
Very good things are happening here
Moms4Moms presented by McDonald's
A collection of resources here to help Moms weather the daily storms that come along with parenting.
Big Sandy
For all your furniture and appliance needs