FRANK LEWIS
PDT Staff Writer
Scioto County Sheriff Marty V. Donini said Friday the Southern Ohio Drug Task Force is dismantling a criminal organization consisting of more than nine people responsible for distributing thousands of Oxycodone pills in Scioto County.
Narcotics detectives issued a search warrant March 30 at the residence of William R. Stuckey, 59, and Rebecca Fargo, 31, at 59 Tripp St., South Webster. Stuckey had been under investigation since 2011 for suspected narcotics trafficking, Donini said.
Detectives said they seized more than 3,000 Oxycodone pills, with a street value of more than $100,000, numerous firearms, cash and property suspected of being derived from the proceeds of drug trafficking.
A grand jury voted to indict Stuckey; Fargo; Lydia Blanche Yeagle, 27, of 166 Hungry Hollow Road, Lucasville; Rebecca J. Howard, 39, of 1519 15th St., West Portsmouth; Angel A. Sadler, 29, of 1519 15th St., West Portsmouth; Brian D. Carter, 30, of 1668 Dixon Run Road, Jackson; Shannon E. Deems, 25, of 232 Craycraft Lane, Greenup, Ky.; Heather J. Smith (Andronis), 34, of Lucasville; Christopher W. Mason, 29, of 638 Unger Hill Road, Lucasville; and several other individuals on felony criminal offenses such as engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, conspiracy to engage in a pattern of corrupt activity, aggravated trafficking in Oxycodone with-in the vicinity of a juvenile, aggravated possession of Oxycodone, attempted trafficking in Oxycodone within the vicinity of a juvenile, conspiracy to engage in drug trafficking, and counts of trafficking in Oxycodone.
Arrest warrants were issued June 5. Stuckey was indicted on more than 40 counts of felony criminal offenses, while Fargo was indicted on more than 30 counts of felony criminal offenses. Stuckey and the others have been apprehended and placed in the Scioto County Jail. After being arraigned in Scioto County Common Pleas Court, Stuckey is being held on a $750,000 bond, Fargo and Yeagle on $250,000 bonds, and Smith, Deems, Howard, Mason and Sadler on $100,000 bonds. Carter has been released after posting a $100,000 bond.
According to Donini, a few other individuals believed have participated in the organization and have indictment warrants for their arrest, but are not being named at this time to prevent impeding the investigation. Donini said narcotics detectives have collected evidence showing that Stuckey and others were involved in “organized crime” and distributed thousands of Oxycodone pills into Scioto and Pike counties.
Donini credits the success of the investigation so far to not only the Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit detectives, but the assistance provided by the Portsmouth Police Department Narcotics Unit, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Scioto County Prosecutor’s Office. Donini said the investigation is ongoing and that others involved in the criminal organization will be apprehended in the near future. He thanked the public for their assistance in the case and said anyone wanting to leave drug information for the Southern Ohio Drug Task Force, can contact the Sheriff’s Office drug line at 740- 351-1094, the Portsmouth Police Department drug line at 740-354-DRUG (3784), or email drugs@sciotocountysheriff.com. All information will be kept confidential and anonymous.
Frank Lewis may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 232, or at flewis@heartlandpublications.com.


























