Middleport man arrested on drug charge following Task Force investigation

MIDDLEPORT, Ohio – One man has been arrested following the execution of a search warrant for narcotics in Middleport.

On Friday, April 7, 2017 the Major Crimes Task Force of Gallia and Meigs Counties along with the Middleport Police Department executed a search warrant at 318 Rutland Street in Middleport, Ohio where suspected narcotics were located.

Middleport Police Chief Bruce Swift reports the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commissions Major Crimes Task Force of Gallia and Meigs Counties secured a search warrant for the residence at 318 Rutland Street with the assistance of Meigs County Prosecuting Attorney James K. Stanley. The search warrant was then executed by Middleport Officers and Task Force Agents.

Once entry was made into the residence Task Force Agents allegedly located suspected narcotics along with prescription medication that was being sold from the home. Also found inside of the residence, according to law enforcement, was drug paraphernalia including multiple spoons and hypodermic syringes.

Taken into custody was Don W. Becker, 47, of Middleport, Ohio. Becker is being charged with Possession of a controlled substance.

Becker has a been in trouble for possession of controlled substances and trafficking before in Meigs County. Becker is on community control through the Meigs County Court of Common Pleas after he pleaded guilty to Aggravated Possession of Drugs in March of 2015. Becker was indicted on March 11, 2014 by a Meigs County Grand Jury on two drug charges. He was convicted on May 19, 2015 of one count Aggravated Trafficking, a felony of the fourth degree and one count Aggravated Possession, a felony of the fifth degree. At that point, he was sentenced to five years of community control and he was to complete the Star Program, a residential drug treatment program.

“The work of the Major Crimes Task Force speaks for itself” stated Chief Swift. “The Task Force Agents and Middleport Officers are continuously working hard to stop drug trafficking in our area. This type of behavior will not be tolerated in our town and the repeat offenders will be held accountable, as shown in this case.”

The Major Crimes Task Force will consult with Meigs County Prosecutor James K. Stanley regarding additional charges.

The Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commissions Major Crimes Task Force of Gallia-Meigs was formed in September 2013 and consists of the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office, Gallia County Sheriff’s Office, Middleport Police Department and the Gallipolis Police Department as well as the Meigs and Gallia County Prosecutors Offices. The Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission is part of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.