U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announces indictments of numerous drug offenders Tuesday afternoon.

WHEELING — The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday that 31 people have been indicted in connection with a drug distribution organization across multiple states.

Last week, indictments were returned by a federal grand jury on those involved, including 23 West Virginia residents, many of whom live in New Martinsville and Sistersville. The indictments were described by U.S. Attorney Bill Powell as involving a multi-state drug distribution operation.

“The methamphetamine problem is a growing one in this district, and we’ve contributed significant resources to their investigations,” said Powell. “We’ve had a meth problem for some time … and the drugs we’re seeing are no longer the mom and pop type drugs we used to see, relatively impure. Instead, we’re now almost exclusively seeing very pure crystal meth made in laboratory. It’s a highly addictive substance and an increase in violent tendencies is just one of its many effects.”

Conducting the arrests, the agencies involved seized over $360,000 worth of methamphetamine as well as a large quantity of cash and firearms. The operation consisted of trafficking crystal meth, heroin and cocaine into the state from Columbus, Ohio, and from as far away as Atlanta.

Also indicted were six men and two women from Ohio, who are suspected to be members or associates of a street gang called the Elaine Crip Family. Most of these people are from Columbus, with one from Canal Winchester and another from Groveport.

U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announces indictments of numerous drug offenders Tuesday afternoon.

While Powell said most of those indicted had been arrested without incident or turned themselves in peacefully, two men remain at large. Cedric Douglas, 39, and Todd Jones, 50, are wanted by the U.S. Marshals, both for trafficking meth. Jones has ties to New Martinsville and Douglas has ties to Columbus and to Florida.

“We are blessed with a group of highly professional law enforcement agencies at the federal, state and local government level,” he added. “We’re particularly proud of our task forces, including the Marshall County (Drug) Task Force, a group of dedicated individuals from local, federal and state law enforcement which spearheaded this investigation. Our task forces represent a force multiplier for our whole state and are a shining example of what we accomplish when we work together, and no one is concerned about who gets the credit.”

In addition to Douglas and Jones, those indicted were:

* Joshua Cathers, age 38, of Sistersville, West Virginia

* Michael Shawn Hartline, age 34, of Sistersville, West Virginia

* Rachel A. Cook, age 28, of Sistersville, West Virginia

* Holly C. Jenkins, age 55, of New Martinsville, West Virginia

* Justin Richeson, also known as “Squash,” age 34, of New Martinsville, West Virginia

* Timothy Lohri, age 36, of Williamstown, West Virginia

* John M. Talkington, age 29, of New Martinsville, West Virginia

* Haley Weigle, age 24, of New Martinsville, West Virginia

* Wilson Longwell, age 26, of Littleton, West Virginia

* Desiree Morgan, age 23, of Paden City, West Virginia

* Ronald Morgan, age 50, of New Martinsville, West Virginia

* Richard Warf, age 54, of Sistersville, West Virginia

* Charles C. Williamson, age 31, of Sistersville, West Virginia

* Brea M. Saeger, age 27, of Sistersville, West Virginia

* Miranda Stewart, age 23, of Sistersville, West Virginia

* Susan Kotson, age 53, of New Martinsville, West Virginia

* Alex King, age 32, of New Martinsville, West Virginia

* Amber M. Richeson, age 36, New Martinsville, West Virginia

* Boyd Williamson, age 36, of Middlebourne, West Virginia

* Cynthia L. Henries, age 47, of New Martinsville, West Virginia

* Randy Peffer, age 25, of New Martinsville, West Virginia

* Doug William Matthews, age 32, of New Martinsville, West Virginia

* Rodriquies M. Evans, also known as “Dree”, age 27, of Columbus, Ohio

* Marisa Page, age 26, of Columbus, Ohio

* Kenyatta Banks, Jr., also known as “Yatta”, age 28, of Canal Winchester, Ohio

* Matthew Jackson, also known as “Matt-Matt”, age 22, of Columbus, Ohio

* Delkira L. Rodgers, age 20, of Columbus, Ohio

* Robert L. Gregory, age 36, of Columbus, Ohio

* Aaron Callahan, age 28, of Columbus, Ohio