The Richland County Sheriff’s Office, Violent Crimes Impact Team (VCIT), Major Crimes Unit and Alcohol, Tobacco, Explosives and Firearms (ATF) concluded a two-day enforcement operation. The enforcement operation targeted known drug traffickers in Richland County. Assistance was provided by the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, Plymouth Police Department and Shelby Police Department.
The Richland County Sheriff’s Office VCIT members who spearheaded these investigations were Deputy Stacy Dittrich, Deputy Amber Smith and Deputy Robert Caltrider.
On Sept. 17, investigators converged on a known drug house, located at 65 S. Gamble St. Shelby, Ohio Apt#1. Investigators had determined that sales of heroin had been taking place at this apartment, as well as use of heroin. Investigators received consent to search by the renter, and from the investigation three individuals were taken into custody:
Michael D. Spillman, 48, white male, was charged with Trafficking in Drugs, a fifth degree felony.
Matthew Holbrook, 28, white male, was charged with with Probation Violation and Trafficking in Drugs, a fifth degree felony.
Richard T. Weber, 49, white male, was charged with Probation Violation and Escape, a third degree felony.
Weber had failed to advise the investigators he was on felony probation and after the interview Weber cut his ankle monitor off and threw it into a grassy area.
On Sept. 18, investigators obtained a search warrant signed by Mansfield Municipal Court Judge Frank Ardis for 901 Hanna Rd. Mansfield. This address had already been served a search warrant on Sept. 11 for the trafficking of heroin. Investigators had determined that the primary suspect had returned after the search warrant on Sept. 11 and began selling heroin from the residence.
Upon executing the search warrant investigators seized heroin and drug paraphernalia. The investigators detained two persons during the search and took one person into custody:
Dustin R. Fultz, 26, white male, was charged with Trafficking in Drugs, a fifth degree felony.
On Sept. 18, investigators identified a subject trafficking in heroin in the Shelby area. Investigators’ converged on a vehicle containing the suspect and a female at the Shelby library at 65 N. Gamble St. Shelby. During the interview and investigation, information was obtained that the primary suspect had an active methamphetamine lab in his residence located at 155 N. Gamble St. in Shelby. Investigators’ contacted the Shelby Municipal Court Solicitor and prepared a search warrant.
Shelby Municipal Court Judge Schaffer signed the search warrant. Investigators’ with the assistance of Richland County Sheriff’s Office Deputy James Nicholson (trained meth lab technician), Richland County Dog Warden’s Office, Plymouth Police Department, Shelby Police Department, Captain Lance Combs (trained meth lab technician) and the Shelby Fire Department, executed the search warrant at 155 N. Gamble St.
During the search a complete methamphetamine lab was discovered, neutralized and seized by Deputy James Nicholson and Capt. Lance Combs. Evidence was submitted to the Richland County Sheriff’s Office Crime Lab, where the evidence will be transferred for forensic processing.
Taken into custody from this search warrant was:
Jason M. Sayre, 35, white mail, was charged with Illegal Manufacturing of Drugs, a second degree felony.
The Richland County Sheriff’s Office (VCIT) will continue to progressively pursue known violent crimes offenders throughout Richland County and request any citizen that has any information of criminal activity to call The Richland County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit Hotline at: 419-774-5610 or email: www.richlandcountyoh.us/sheriff/crimetip.html
Monetary reward monies are available for information leading to the arrest and conviction of persons involved in criminal activity.