Lovett Road search warrant leads to arrests

Editors Note: ALL suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Meigs County Sheriff Scott Fitch reports that Thursday July 27, 2023, that sheriff’s office deputies and agents with he Southeast Major Crimes Task Force executed a search warrant at 30578 Lovett Road, Portland, Ohio in Lebanon Township. There was a ongoing investigation that led to the search warrant being issued and served.

Officers arrived at the residence and individuals inside the residence refused to answer the door. Officers made entry to the residence and multiplied subjects were detained. Agents and Deputies searched the property and located and seized multiple bags of suspected heroin, methamohetamine, and marijuana with a street value of around $1,000. Also located in the residence were digital scales, money, baggies, and other drug paraphernalia items that are consistent with drug trafficking.

Property was also recovered that was reported stolen from a nearby residence on July 27, 2023.

Individuals taken into custody at the scene were Kayla Pullins, 40 of Portland, Ohio for charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of heroin, adn trafficking in drugs.

Also taken into custody was Ryan Nelson, 44 of Long Bottom, Ohio for charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of heroin, trafficking in drugs, and theft. Nelson also had a active arrest warrant through Meigs County.

Sheriff Fitch stated Meigs County residents are fed up with drug traffickers poisoning their community. The Sheriff’s office receives tips every day about drug trafficking occurring from one end of the county to the other. We take this information very seriously and are investigating every tip received, which is leading to an increased amount of drug investigations. “I can promise you that if you continue to deal drugs in Meigs County, it may not be today, it may not be tomorrow, but we will be coming to visit you soon” said Sheriff Fitch.

Fitch also would like to sincerely thank the citizens of Meigs County for your continued tips and if you have any information related to drug trafficking, please contact our tip line at (740) 992-4682, and you can remain anonymous.

The Southeast Major Crimes Task Force is part of the Ohio Attorney General’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.