Lewis County sweep targets 13 individuals involved in drug trade

WESTON, W.Va. — More than a dozen people are facing drug charges in Lewis County and Upshur County after an operation led by the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department Thursday.

According to Sheriff Adam Gissy, the department conducted a “drug sweep,” targeting 13 individuals who were involved in meth and oxycodone trade within Lewis County. Of those individuals, six had a Lewis County address, six had an Upshur County address and one had a Harrison County address.

Members from the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office and Buckhannon Police Department assisted with the warrant service on those individuals located in Upshur County.

“Cooperation is key in curbing crime in general,” Gissy said. “Those whom are involved in criminal activity often ignore county lines; thus the importance of multi-jurisdictional collaboration.”

The ten individuals arrested were Whitney Higginbotham, Justin Moots, Harold “Bucky” Murphy, Charles Merriman, Daniel Maxson, Dashuan Grimes, Nancy Webb, Justin Bleigh, Chance Wickline and Troi Foster.

As of 4:15 p.m. Thursday, according to Gissy, Theodore O’Connell, Amanda “Mindy” Ruble and Jamie Wright remained at-large.