On the evening of Thursday June 2, 2022, Sheriff’s Detectives along with the Major Crimes Task Force made an arrest in an ongoing drug trafficking investigation in Noble County.
Deputies and Agents received information about a male subject who was believed to be trafficking methamphetamines in Noble County. During the investigation Detectives were able to determine that the male subject was operating a specific vehicle and a pattern of activity that indicated drug trafficking.
Sheriff Jason Mackie located and pulled over the target of the investigation on T-Ridge Road in Olive Township. Noble County K-9 Kilo was called to the scene along with Detectives and Agents with the Major Crimes Task Force.
After Arriving at the scene K-9 Kilo alerted to the odor of illegal narcotics in the target vehicle. During a search investigator located a large quantity of suspected methamphetamines. The target of the investigation was placed under arrest at the scene. The lone passenger, Jeremy Besser age 25 of McConnelsville, was also arrested on an outstanding warrant from Muskingum County.
After concluding the arrests on T-Ridge Road. A search warrant, that was issued by Noble County Court Judge Jennifer Arnold, was executed at a Summit Ave. residence in Noble Township. Upon execution of the search warrant, multiple items of evidence related to drug abuse and drug trafficking were located and seized by investigators.
After the investigation was reviewed by Noble County Prosecutor Jordan Croucher, Thomas Bates age 48 of Caldwell was charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, in an amount exceeding five times the bulk amount, a Felony of the second degree.
Thomas Bates was arraigned in Noble County Court on Friday June 3rd. Judge Jennifer Arnold set a bond in the amount of $75,000. Thomas Bates remains in the Noble County Jail.
The Southeast Major Crimes Task Force is part of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s Organized Crime Investigation Commission and is comprised of representatives of the Washington, Morgan, Noble, Monroe, Meigs, and Athens County Sheriff’s Offices; the Marietta, Belpre, Middleport, and McConnelsville Police Departments; the Washington, Morgan, Noble, Monroe, Meigs, and Athens County Prosecutor’s Offices; and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
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