Lantz

Twelfth person arrested in Cooper Street drug bust

BUCKHANNON – A 12th person was arrested Tuesday in connection with the June 5 Cooper Street drug bust and the investigation is ongoing, according to Buckhannon’s police chief.

Buckhannon Police Chief Matt Gregory on Tuesday said the investigation related to the June 5, 2020 drug bust at 12 Cooper St. is being headed up by the Mountain Lakes Drug and Violent Crime Unit task force.

“It is an investigation by the Mountain Lakes Drug and Violent Crime Unit,” Gregory said. “I know it is a very involved investigation and it is still ongoing.”

The BPD is just one law enforcement unit involved in the task force, which spans Lewis, Braxton and Upshur counties.

Most recently, Dallas Lantz, 34, of Buckhannon, was arrested for violating the Anti-organized Criminal Enterprise Act, possession with intent to deliver and conspiracy to deliver controlled substance, all felonies.

According to the criminal complaint in the Upshur County Magistrate Clerk’s Office filed by investigating officer Cpl. Marshall O’Connor with the Buckhannon Police Department on June 5, 2020, officers with the Mountain Lakes Drug and Violent Crime Unit served a search warrant at 12 Cooper Street in Buckhannon.

At the time, nine subjects were detained as they were identified as tenants of the address. The search yielded multiple controlled substances along with packaging material throughout the house. Upon completion of the search, officers located multiple scales with white residue, along with multiple unused baggies, vials and containers commonly used to package, house and transport controlled substances.

Officers also located multiple small plastic bags of methamphetamine, one large bag of methamphetamine, multiple packages of marijuana, multiple unidentified pills, one small bag containing brown powder and one small bag with a “dark crushed-up rock,” the file says.

Law enforcement also located what is believed to be a ledger used to document drug transactions, along with U.S. currency.

According to the report, based on information obtained about the address, the nine individuals arrested at the time – as well as three others, including Lantz – were known to make multiple trips away from the house with what appeared to be full backpacks and they would allegedly return shortly with backpacks that were lighter than when they left.

According to the report, statements taken refer to this as “drug traffic,” and one statement said he believed the nine subjects were delivering drugs and returning to “re-up,” and delivering again.

The arresting officer also had messages that were obtained from seized phones that depict some of the detained subjects engaging in conversation involving the sale and distribution of controlled substances.

On June 5, the day the warrant was executed, Lantz was not home to be arrested, but the complaint alleges he participated in the ‘criminal enterprise’ to deliver controlled substances and allegedly conspired to do so from the same address.

Bail was set at $5,000 for a capias, $25,000 for possession with intent to deliver, $25,000 for violating the Anti-organized Criminal Enterprise Act and $25,000 for conspiracy to deliver controlled substance.

If convicted for violating the Anti-organized Criminal Enterprise Act, Lantz faces confinement for not more than 10 years, a fine of not more than $25,000 or both. Lantz could also face confinement for not less than one year nor more than five years, a fine of not more than $15,000 or both for possession with intent to deliver. Finally, Lantz could face confinement for not less than two nor more than 10 years for conspiracy to deliver controlled substance.

Featured

SHOPS & SERVICES

Buckhannon City Council approves $6.5 million-dollar budget prioritizing public safety, infrastructure

BUCKHANNON – City council passed the largest budget in Buckhannon’s history Tuesday, with the two largest allocations once again earmarked for public safety operations and infrastructure maintenance, respectively. At its March 14 meeting – rescheduled from March 16 due to […]

Become a premium member to unlock immediate access to this story and thousands more. Plus you’ll wake up every morning to our email edition. Your subscription supports local news by local writers. Signing up is easy — just tap the button below!

Police arrest man they say was the driver in 2022 pursuit that ended in a wreck with two people ejected

BUCKHANNON – A Rock Cave man was arrested for allegedly fleeing from police officers in a vehicle, injuring himself and a passenger. Elijah Carpenter, 27, of Rock Cave was arrested Thursday for fleeing from an officer and fleeing or attempting […]

Become a premium member to unlock immediate access to this story and thousands more. Plus you’ll wake up every morning to our email edition. Your subscription supports local news by local writers. Signing up is easy — just tap the button below!

SHOPS & SERVICES

Lacrosse Bucs fall late to John Marshall, 12-11

TENNERTON – The Buckhannon-Upshur boy’s lacrosse team let one get away from against the John Marshall Monarchs Saturday night at Freal “Red” Crites Memorial Stadium. The Bucs led 9-7 going into the final quarter but couldn’t maintain the lead dropping […]

Become a premium member to unlock immediate access to this story and thousands more. Plus you’ll wake up every morning to our email edition. Your subscription supports local news by local writers. Signing up is easy — just tap the button below!

Big 10 Boy’s All-Conference Basketball Team announced

TENNERTON – The Big 10 Boy’s All-Conference Basketball Team was announced on Monday as voted on by the league coaches. Fairmont Senior’s Zycheus Dobbs was named the Conference Player of the Year. Dobbs led the

Upshur County Sports Calendar

MONDAY (March 20) Baseball Softball Tennis TUESDAY (March 21) Baseball Softball Tennis WEDNESDAY (March 22) Lacrosse Tennis THURSDAY (March 23) Baseball Lacrosse Softball Tennis FRIDAY (March 24) Baseball Lacrosse Tennis Track and Field SATURDAY (March

WVWC Track - Wesleyan Sports

Wesleyan track and field teams find success at WVU meet

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia Wesleyan men’s and women’s track & field teams competed at West Virginia University this weekend at the Stan Romanoski Open. The Bobcats had five individual event winners and one

SHOPS & SERVICES

Fairmont State University selects 2023 Presidential Scholarship winners

Three incoming Fairmont State University freshmen have been selected as the recipients of Fairmont State’s premier academic scholarship, the Charles J. McClain Presidential Scholarship. Sophie Stuart from Jefferson High School (Charles town, W.VA), Hailey Jordan

WVDEP hosting students on World Water Day

CHARLESTON, WV – In an effort to enrich students’ understanding of the importance of clean water, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) is hosting a water education event for area grade schools on