Tuesday, December 9th, 2008
24 Auglaize, Mercer county residents facing drug charges after roundup
By Margie Wuebker
Twenty-four Auglaize and Mercer County residents are facing various drug charges in the wake of a lengthy investigation by the Grand Lake Drug Task Force.
The arrests took place last week but Auglaize County Sheriff Al Solomon delayed a formal announcement until this morning because authorities continue to look for two more suspects.
The charges - 77 counts to be exact - stem from multiple drugs being purchased by undercover officers in St. Marys, Wapakoneta and Celina during the course of six to nine months.
Drugs involved in the illegal activity include cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, morphine, oxycotin, LSD and marijuana. Some transactions also involved prescription medications.
The street value of the drugs purchased and seized exceeds $13,000, according to Solomon. Officers also seized nine vehicles, seven guns and $1,641 in cash.
The investigation is continuing with several more arrests anticipated.
Those rounded up over the course of three days last week were:
• Sherman Henderson, 58, North Walnut Street, St. Marys, aggravated trafficking.
• Daniel Peters, 42, Wapakoneta, trafficking in cocaine.
• Heather Grandstaff, 21, Wapakoneta, trafficking in drugs.
• Johnny Chiles, 25, Huffman Street, St. Marys, trafficking in marijuana, cocaine and drugs.
• Joshua Eads, 19, Wapakoneta, trafficking in cocaine.
• David Hecker, 33, South Wayne Street, St. Marys, trafficking in LSD and cocaine.
• Richard Dixon, 23, Cherry Street, St. Marys, trafficking in marijuana, cocaine and crack cocaine.
• Thomas Moyar, 51, Parkway Drive, St. Marys, trafficking in drugs.
• Mark Zumbroegel, 40, Greenvale Drive, St. Marys, trafficking in marijuana and drugs.
• Danny Williams, 38, 751 Deford St., Lot 20, Celina, trafficking in drugs.
• Robert Mabry, 29, East Spring Street, St. Marys, sale of dangerous drugs, trafficking in drugs and trafficking in heroin.
• Natasha Pruitt, 20, Maple Street, St. Marys, trafficking in marijuana.
• Michael Bonifas, 29, East Spring Street, St. Marys, trafficking in marijuana.
• Alvie Herzog, 38, Beech Street, St. Marys, trafficking in drugs.
• Erica Floyd, 21, Wapakoneta, trafficking in drugs.
• Shawn Metzger, 21, Wapakoneta, possession of cocaine and trafficking in drugs.
• Connie Derr, 41, Beech Street, St. Marys, trafficking in drugs.
• Kevin Overley, 32, Beech Street, St. Marys, trafficking in drugs and cocaine.
• Chad Coble, 32, 125 N. Enterprise St., Apt. 3, Celina, trafficking in marijuana and drugs.
• David Christian, 43, Wapakoneta, trafficking in drugs, heroin and cocaine.
• Jeffrey Christian, 24, Wapakoneta, trafficking in cocaine and drugs.
• Tori Shroyer, 37, East Spring Street, St. Marys, sale of dangerous drugs and trafficking in drugs.
• Brian Whittemire, 46, East Spring Street, St. Marys, trafficking in marijuana and sale of dangerous drugs.
• Garrett Whetstone, 22, Hampton Drive, St. Marys, trafficking in marijuana.
Some have posted bond while others remain incarcerated at the Auglaize County Jail awaiting further court proceedings.
The Task Force is comprised of deputies from the Auglaize and Mercer County sheriff's offices as well as police departments in St. Marys, Wapakoneta, Minster, Cridersville, Buckland, Waynesfield, Celina, Fort Recovery and St. Henry.
