March 29, 2024

Three Arrested on Drug Charges Following Search Warrant Execution

MIDDLEPORT, Ohio – Three people are in custody following the execution of a search warrant in Middleport.

According to Middleport Police Chief Mony Wood, on August 4, 2022 the Southeast Ohio Major Crimes Task Force along with Officers from the Middleport Police Department and Deputies with the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at apartment 21 of the Village Manor Apartments located in Middleport. According to the statement, ”The search warrant came after an extensive investigation into drug trafficking from apartment 21 by task force agents.”

Additionally, ”Upon entry being made into the apartment Task Force Agents detained multiple individuals and conducted a search of the apartment. While searching the apartment agents located methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a large amount of cash.”

According to task force agents, during the entry one individual attempted to get rid of several plastic baggies containing heroin.

Taken into custody at the scene was Willie C. Causey, 40, of Middleport on charges of Possession of Heroin and Tampering with Evidence. Austin R. Billingsley, 21, of Athens was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine and Stacy J. Jacks, 44, of Middleport was taken into custody on an active indictment out of Meigs County Common Pleas Court for Possession of Drugs.

All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Southeast Major Crimes Task Force is part of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s Organized Crime Investigations Commission and is comprised of representatives of the Washington, Morgan, Noble, Monroe, Meigs, and Athens County Sheriff’s Offices; the Marietta, Belpre, Middleport, McConnelsville, Nelsonville, and Glouster Police Departments; the Washington, Morgan, Noble, Monroe, Meigs, and Athens County Prosecutor’s Offices; and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.