Crescent-News.com - Eighteen arrested in Henry County on drug charges

By JARED ORZOLEK

orzolek@crescent-news.com

NAPOLEON -- An 18-month undercover investigation conducted by Henry County law enforcement agencies has led to the arrested of 18 individuals suspected of dealing drugs.

According to Henry County Sheriff John Nye, the sheriff's office conducted the investigation with the help of the Napoleon Police Department and the Henry County prosecutor's office and the arrests were made on various felony charges of trafficking in drugs such as marijuana and cocaine.

"Working undercover is the best way to combat this type of problem," said Chief Robert Weitzel of the Napoleon Police Department, adding that the investigation was targeted at individuals dealing drugs in Henry County. "It's a step in the right direction and it is going to be a continued effort on the part of my department and the sheriff."

Those arrested and the charges they face are:

-- David Hartley, 29, 325 E. Washington St., Napoleon, three counts of trafficking in marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school and one count of trafficking in dangerous drugs, all fourth-degree felonies.

-- Fred Pietsch, 28, 167 Bradford Ave., Napoleon, one count of trafficking in oxycodone, a third-degree felony, and two counts of trafficking in marijuana, fifth-degree felonies.

-- Crystal Roberts, 21, 260 Reed St., McClure, two counts of trafficking in marijuana, fifth-degree felonies, and one count of trafficking in marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school, a fourth-degree felony.

-- Kyle Roberts, 21, 260 Reed St., McClure, four counts of trafficking in marijuana, a fifth-degree felony.

-- Paul Baily, 23, Delta, two counts of trafficking in marijuana and one count of trafficking in a controlled substance, all fifth-degree felonies.

-- Brandon Curtzwiler, 25, 658 Beckham St., Napoleon, two counts of trafficking in cocaine, third-degree felonies.

-- Alvin Gerken, 25, Napoleon, two counts of trafficking in marijuana, fourth-degree felonies; one count of trafficking in a controlled substance, a third-degree felony; one count of trafficking in a controlled substance, a fourth-degree felony; two counts of trafficking in dangerous drugs, fourth-degree felonies.

-- Joshua Barnes, 24, 848 Scott St., Napoleon, one count of trafficking in LSD within 1,000 feet of a school, a fourth-degree felony; and two counts of trafficking in dangerous drugs, fourth-degree felonies.

-- Beth Brown, 18, 848 Scott St., Napoleon, one count of trafficking in marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school, a fourth-degree felony; and two counts of trafficking in dangerous drugs, fourth-degree felonies.

-- Jamie Taylor, 24, 169 Bradford Ave., Napoleon, three counts of trafficking in marijuana, fourth-degree felonies.

-- Christopher Fay, 23, 126 Sutherland Ave., Napoleon, one count of trafficking in marijuana within 100 feet of a child, a fourth-degree felony.

-- Jayme Schwenkmeyer, 21, 1800 Oakwood Ave., Napoleon, three counts of trafficking in marijuana, fourth-degree felonies; one count of trafficking in oxycodone, a third-degree felony; two counts of trafficking in a controlled substance, a fourth-degree felony; and one count of trafficking in dangerous drugs, a fourth-degree felony.

-- Victoria Sandidge, 21, 169 Bradford Ave., Napoleon, four counts of trafficking in marijuana within 100 feet of a child, fourth-degree felonies.

-- Atreyu Baldridge, 22, 218 E. Front St., Napoleon, one count of trafficking in marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school, a fourth-degree felony.

-- Ronald Beard, 58, 925 Scott St., Napoleon, two counts of trafficking in oxycodone, fourth-degree felonies; three counts of trafficking in methadone, fourth-degree felonies, and one count of trafficking in hydrocodone, a fifth-degree felony.

-- Kathy Beard, 56, 925 Scott St., Napoleon, one count of trafficking in hydrocodone, a fifth-degree felony, and one count of trafficking in oxycodone, a fourth-degree felony.

-- Brandon Barton, 24, 333 E. Main St., Napoleon, one count of trafficking in cocaine, a fourth-degree felony, and one count of trafficking in cocaine, a fifth-degree felony.

-- Joshua Damron, 23, Napoleon, one count of trafficking in cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school, a fourth-degree felony.

Law enforcement also seized several vehicles allegedly involved in illegal drug trafficking.

More arrests are expected soon, according to the sheriff's office.