Concern about children leads to drug arrest

MIDDLEPORT, Ohio – Following a report of alleged drug activity at a residence, a Cincinnati man has been taken into custody on drug charges.

According to a statement from Middleport Police Chief Bruce Swift, on September 21, 2018 the Meigs County Children’s Services Agency received information of drug abuse going on inside of a residence in the Village of Middleport. The alleged drug use was occurring around two children inside of the home where one of the juveniles was reportedly accidentally “stuck” with a syringe. An investigation into the information received was conducted by an Investigator with Meigs County Children’s Services and the Meigs County Prosecutor’s Office. According to the statement, probable cause was developed. A male from Cincinnati was staying inside of the residence, allegedly selling large quantities of methamphetamine, heroin, and marijuana.

The Major Crimes Task Force of Gallia and Meigs Counties along with the Middleport Police Department, Meigs County Sheriff’s Office, and Meigs County Prosecutor’s Office executed a search warrant at the residence of Morgan Knerr located on South Second Avenue in Middleport. Officers located multiple individuals inside of the residence that were detained for questioning. Arrested at the scene was Antonio Ricardo Foster, 34, of Cincinnati after officers located approximately 10 grams of suspected methamphetamine, a small amount of marijuana, and an undisclosed amount of cash on Antonio’s person. Antonio was going by the street name of “Fifty”.

“Today’s activities are just a part of ongoing narcotics investigations in our community” stated Chief Swift. “We are not going to tolerate this illegal activity in town and we are putting out notice to those who may be involved that we are coming for you!”

Charges have been filed on Antonio Ricardo Foster for Possession of Drugs through the Meigs County Court. The Major Crimes Task Force will consult with Meigs County Prosecuting Attorney James K. Stanley for further charges in this case.

The Major Crimes Task Force of Gallia-Meigs is a state task force under the jurisdiction the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission, which is part of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. The task force was formed in September 2013 and consists of the Meigs and Gallia County Sheriff’s Offices, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Middleport Police Department, the Gallipolis Police Department and both the Meigs and Gallia County Prosecutor’s Offices.