Archbold, Ohio
Press Release
August 16, 2022
The Multi-area Narcotics Task force, with assistance from the Village of Archbold Police Department, executed a search warrant at 205 West Mechanic Street, Archbold, Ohio after an investigation into potential distribution of narcotics. The action resulted in the the arrest of 28 year-old Brittany Phillips and 49 year-old Joel Malone. The Multi-Area Narcotics Task Force will be seeking assistance from the Fulton County Prosecutor, Scott Haselman for additional charges.
Seized during the search warrant was suspected Methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Also assisting the Multi-Area Narcotics Task Force was Fulton County Job and Family Services due to children living in the home.
As always, Village of Archbold Police Department asks citizens with information about drug trafficking, or other criminal activity in Fulton County to contact us by phone, the Multi-Area Narcotics Task Force website www.manunitohio.org, or at your local Sheriff’s Office or city Police Department in person. Anonymity will be given to all tips we receive. The Multi-Area Narcotics Task Force covers Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Paulding, Putnam and Williams counties.
Max A. Nofziger
Commander
Search Warrants Executed for Major Drug Trafficking Offenses
On January 28, 2022, the Multi-Area Narcotics Task Force executed search warrants in the City of Defiance. The search warrants were executed at 736 Inverness Drive and 233 Greer Street. These search warrants were the conclusion of a long-term investigation involving major drug trafficking offenses.
At 736 Inverness Drive residence, Derek Brandi (36) was taken into custody and charged on Aggravated Drug Possession with specifications of MDO (Major Drug Offender), a Felony of the first degree. Derek Brandi was transported to Paulding County Jail. Over a kilo of suspected Methamphetamine along with other drug trafficking evidence was seized.
At 233 Greer Street residence, Nicole Lause (34) was taken into custody and charged on Possession of suspected Methamphetamine, Felony of the fifth degree and was taken to Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio.
This investigation included several agencies that assisted the Multi-Area Narcotics Unit and are as follows; United States Postal Inspection Service, Defiance City Police, Defiance County Sheriff’s Office, Defiance County Prosecutor’s Office, Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and Paulding County Sheriff’s Office. We would like to thank these agencies for their time and effort in this investigation.
Several other suspects are pending felony charges involving in this major drug investigation.
Max Nofziger, Commander Multi-Area Narcotics Task Force
Dangerous Counterfeit Prescription Tablets Found in Ohio
Counterfeit/fake prescription tablets that look like alprazolam (Xanax) and oxycodone (Oxycontin) are being sold in Ohio. They contain fentanyl, a powerful drug that can kill, and other contents that could cause death.
The number and letter markings, colors, and scoring lines on the fake pills make them look identical to the real legitimate pills. It is nearly impossible to tell the difference with the naked eye.
Drug Trafficking Charges for Involvement in Overdose Deaths
There was a preliminary test on the white crystal substance with a result of suspected pure Fentanyl and a weight of forty-three (43) grams.
On June 25th and June 26th, the Multi-Area Narcotics Task Force began investigating the overdose deaths of a 15-year-old male from Napoleon, OH, and Brittany Neumeier, 39 years of age of Napoleon, OH. Through investigation, James Cox Jr. and another juvenile male were involved in the trafficking of the drugs causing the deaths of the two victims.
The case was presented to the Henry County Grand Jury on August 25th, 2021. James Cox Jr, 18 years of age from Malinta, OH was indicted on two (2) counts of Involuntary Manslaughter, both Felonies of the 1st Degree, and two (2) counts of Trafficking in Drugs, both Felonies of the 4th degree.
A juvenile, 17 years of age from Napoleon, OH, was also charged and transported to JDC on August 27, 2021. The juvenile was charged with Trafficking in drugs, Felony of the 4th degree, complicity to Trafficking in Drugs, felony of 5th degree, and two (2) counts of complicity to Involuntary Manslaughter, Felony of the 1st degree.
The Multi-Area Narcotics Task Force was assisted by the Napoleon Police Department, Henry County Sheriffs Office, Defiance City Police Department, Ohio BCI&I, Defiance County Coroner's Office, Henry County Coroner's Office, and Henry County Prosecutor Gwen Howe-Gebers.
Max Nofziger, Commander
Multi-Area Narcotics Task Force
Suspected Methamphetamine Seized
There was a preliminary test on the white crystal substance with a result of suspected pure Fentanyl and a weight of forty-three (43) grams.
On June 24, 2021 the Multi-Area Narcotics Task Force along with West Unity Police Department conducted a search warrant at 302 Rings Street in the Village of West Unity, Ohio the primary residence of Shirley Hicks (43 y/o) and Lucas Hutchinson (40 y/o). There were two juveniles located in the residence. Williams County Job and Family Services will be conducting a separate investigation.
The search of the residence resulted in the seizure of an ounce of suspected Methamphetamine, suspected Psilocybin (mushrooms), and over three hundred (300) grams of suspected Marijuana. Numerous items of drug paraphernalia and drug trafficking were also located and seized from the residence.
This case will be presented to the Williams County Grand Jury for several high-level drug felony charges.
Assisting the Task Force in this investigation was the West Unity Police Department, Williams County Sheriff’s Office and Williams County Job and Family Services.
Max A. Nofziger
Commander
Suspected Fentanyl Found
There was a preliminary test on the white crystal substance with a result of suspected pure Fentanyl and a weight of forty-three (43) grams.
On May 2, 2021 the Multi-Area Narcotics Task Force along with Defiance Police Department and Adult Parole conducted a consent search at 913 Greenbriar Lane in the City of Defiance, Ohio the primary residence of Chelsea Lopez (29 y/o) and Gilberto Villarreal Jr. (35 y/o) A 9mm handgun and ammunition was located in the residence along with a larger amount of white crystal substance. There was a preliminary test on the white crystal substance with a result of suspected pure Fentanyl and a weight of forty-three (43) grams. There will be an official test of the white crystal substance conducted by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation Laboratory. Fentanyl is a synthetic narcotic linked to several fatal overdoses in the area.
Consent search of the residence was made after Gilberto Villarreal Jr.’s vehicle was searched via parole conditions finding a white powder substance suspected to be Methamphetamine as well as $4148.00 in cash in the vehicle. A preliminary test was done on the white powder substance returning with a positive result for Methamphetamine and a weight of four (4) grams.
On May 5, 2021 Gilberto Villarreal Jr. was indicted on Trafficking in Fentanyl, a felony of the first degree, Trafficking in Methamphetamine, a felony of the third degree and Weapons Under Disability, a felony of the third degree. Chelsea Lopez was indicted on permitting drug abuse, a felony of the fifth degree through the Defiance County Common Pleas Court.
Assisting the Task Force in this investigation was the Defiance Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Agency and Morris Murray, Defiance County Prosecutor.
Max A. Nofziger Commander