UPDATE: 23 arrested in Huntington citywide warrant sweep
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A citywide warrant sweep led to 23 arrests Thursday.
The West Virginia State Police, Cabell County Sheriff's Office, Barboursville Police, FBI, West Virginia Division of Parole Services assisted Huntington Police in the sweep.
Huntington Police say the warrants included drug and violent crime offenders as well as minor charges.
The alleged offenders are from Huntington as well as other areas. Huntington Police Chief Joe Ciccarelli says the operation was more than six months in the making.
"To the people from Columbus, Detroit, Atlanta and anywhere else, if you come to Huntington to sell drugs you're going to end up going to two places: jail or in hospital," said Ciccarelli, referencing the shooting at Marcum Terrace Monday that sent two people to the hospital, including a pregnant woman. Ciccarelli says the shooting involved drug dealers from Columbus
Huntington Mayor Steve Williams echoed that strong message.
"If somebody's coming in to Huntington seeking to do something other than a legitimate business, we're going to run you out of town," said Williams. "We don't want you here. You don't belong here and you're not adding any value to our community."
Williams said the community's help will lead to more arrests. He says they can do so through the police department's anonymous tip line at (304) 696-4444.
"If you see something, say something," said Williams. "If you don't see action by the police department, it does not mean that something isn't happening. The chief just pointed out -- this activity [warrant sweep] here has been in the works for over six months. We do get there and once we get there, we put them in jail. If these folks want to come in to Huntington, we'll put them up in the finest accommodations at the Western Regional Jail."
Ciccarelli also called on landlords to not allow suspicious activity, but emphasized that it is a small minority of property owners who have allowed that to go on.
"When your renters barricade the doors, when they put up very sophisticated security systems in the rat-holes that you rent to them, that should be a clue, very simply," said Ciccarelli. "We've tried our best to secure the cooperation and compliance of these landlords and for those of them, and again -- I emphasize, a very, very small minority -- of those who haven't gotten the message, the next step is going to be prosecution and nuisance proceedings against those properties."
Police say they found drugs and guns during the sweep, so there may be more charges for some people.
Ciccarelli says they exceeded their goal for the day, which was 20 arrests, and they still have more warrants to execute.
The following were arrested:
Raymond Chapman, 34, Huntington; Possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance
John Charles, 50, Huntington; Violation of DVP order
Marcus Coney, 27, Huntington; Arrest Citation – Possession of marijuana
Jordawn Dunfee, 20, Huntington; Conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance
Malik Gordon, 26, College Park; 2 counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance
Genai Henderson, 27, Joneboro; 2 counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance
Jasmine Johnson, 22, Huntington; Conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance
Roland Johnson, 52, Atlanta; 2 counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance
Quentin Kelley, 33, Atlanta; 2 counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance
Michelle Myers, 46, Huntington; Conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance
Thomas Nelson, 47, Genoa; Failure to Register
Marissa O’Bryan, 32, Ona, Trespassing
Kathryn Rife, 26, Huntington; Conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance
Harold Scott, 28, Detroit; Driving on Suspended License and Possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance
Ashley Smith, 23, Ona; Possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance
Mary Sollazzo, 48, Ona; Shoplifiting
Aaron Spaulding, 34, Huntington; Malicious wouding and prohibited person in possession of a firearm
Lori Walker-Skeens, 35, Huntington; Possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance
Timothy Ward, 40, Kenova; Possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance
Sean Wheeler, 39, Huntington; 2nd degree robbery and malicious wounding
Dewie Woodrum, 50, Huntington; Panhandling
Huntington Police Chief Joe Ciccarelli said there are two additional suspects arrested for felony charges whose names were not included on the list.
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Seven more people have been arrested in a warrant sweep in Huntington.
The citywide sweep started Thursday morning.
Four people were arrested Thursday morning, and seven more were brought in to magistrate court around 1:30 p.m.
Huntington Police say the warrants are for drug and violent crime offenders.
The West Virginia State Police, Cabell County Sheriff's Office, Barboursville Police, FBI, and West Virginia Division of Parole Services are assisting in the sweep.
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A citywide warrant sweep is taking place Thursday in Huntington.
Four people have been arrested as of 11 a.m. and taken to magistrate court.
Huntington Police will be executing several arrest warrants across the city. They say the warrants are for drug and violent crime offenders.
One woman who was arrested said she was picked up for manufacturing. She told us she was out on bond and was waiting on indictment.
"I get woke up. Didn't even get a bowl of cereal or my cigarettes," she said.
A man who arrested told us police were looking for someone else and picked him up.
The West Virginia State Police, Cabell County Sheriff's Office, Barboursville Police, FBI, and West Virginia Division of Parole Services are assisting in the sweep.
