On Tuesday, February 23, multiple law enforcement agencies convened in Buckhannon at 5 a.m. to execute several search and arrest warrants in Upshur and Lewis counties.

A total of seven agencies, 33 law enforcement officers and three K-9s were utilized in the execution of warrants.

Four people were arrested in Upshur County and five in Lewis County.

The officers conducted a total of six residential searches in Upshur and Lewis counties. The investigation, led by Chief Deputy Michael Coffman, Sgt. Rodney Rolenson and Marshall O’Connor, yielded numerous stolen items including tools, ATVs, a tractor and firearms. Controlled substances were recovered at all locations searched in Upshur County totaling over 80 grams. Arrested were Eric Chidester, Phillip Ogden, Edward Bennington and Michelle Smith.

Searches of Lewis County locations headed by Trooper F. J. Turansky yielded controlled substances, stolen firearms and five arrests. Pursuant to the execution of search warrants, approximately $35,000 in stolen property was recovered and approximately 50 grams of controlled substances were seized.

Arrested were Dusty Turner, Dusty Turner Jr., Roger Williams, Jessica Stalnaker and Cody Shaffer. Further arrest warrants have also been issued for other suspects.

These investigations are ongoing and anyone who may have additional information should contact the Upshur County Sheriff’s Department at 304-472-1182 or the W.Va. State Police, Lewis County Detachment, at 304-269-0500.

The agencies involved in Tuesday’s activities included the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, W.Va. State Police (Buckhannon and Weston detachments), W.Va. State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations / Mountain Lakes Drug and Violent Crime Unit, West Virginia State Police Special Response Team, Buckhannon City Police, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, West Virginia Natural Resource Police and Buckhannon Fire Department tactical medics.