Ohio Organized Crime Investigation Commissions Major Crime Task Force of Gallia-Meigs Arest Two

GALLIPOLIS – The Major Crimes Taskforce Gallia-Meigs, and Gallia County Sheriff Joe Browning, announced the arrest of two Gallia County residents following the execution of a search warrant 2399 Swan Creek Road in Ohio Township late Wednesday night.

Larry Joe Gillenwater Jr., 35. 2399 Swan Creek Road, Crown City, and Brittany Ann Wintz, 24, 2095 Lincoln Pike, Gallipolis, are currently incarcerated in the Gallia County jail following a lengthy investigation by agents of the Major Crimes Taskforce and Gallia County sheriff’s deputies.

Gillenwater is facing felony charges of trafficking in heroin, tampering with evidence, and possession of drugs – heroin.
Wintz is being held on a parole violation.

The warrant resulted in the seizure of more than one pound of marijuana, 7 ½ grams of heroin, and $39,000 in cash.
Sheriff Browning noted that the warrant and arrests were a result of tips from local residents, which led to an investigation into drug trafficking in the area.

“We have been targeting this area for several months after receiving numerous complaints on our tip line about drug activity,” Browning added. “We appreciate the community input and encourage them to continue using the tip line at 740.446.6555.”

Browning said he is consulting with Gallia County Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Adkins for additional charges.

“Drug trafficking in our communities continues to be a priority issue for us, and all agencies involved, and will continue to be investigated to the fullest extent in all our Gallia County’s 15 townships,” Sheriff Joe Browning also added “The impact of these drugs in our community is severe and damaging, taking down drug traffickers like the one mentioned is a big help in cleaning up our community and without the public support and feedback from the public we couldn’t have done it”

Ohio Attorney General Mike Dewine added “This is an example of community members and law enforcement working together to take drugs off the streets in Southeast Ohio, “Tips from residents are incredibly helpful in criminal investigations, and we appreciate those who come forward and report criminal activity happening in their neighbors.”

The Major Crimes Task Force 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, and is made up of agents from the Gallia and Meigs County Sheriff’s Office, and the Gallipolis and Middleport Police Departments.