CLERMONT COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
A. J. Rodenberg, Jr., Sheriff
"Leadership By Example"
Office (513) 732-7500
P R E S S R E L E A S E
To : All Media
From: Sheriff A.J. Rodenberg, Jr.
Clermont County Sheriff's Office
Date: June 22, 2006
Re: Secret Indictments
The Clermont County Narcotics Unit presented evidence on Wednesday, June 21, 2006, to the Clermont County Grand Jury concluding the first phase of an eight-month investigation of subjects involved in the manufacture, distribution, and abuse of methamphetamine (Meth), within Clermont County.
The Grand Jury returned Secret Indictments for twelve (12) subjects, involving fifty (50) counts which include: Illegal Manufacture of Drugs, Illegal Assembly of Chemicals for the Production of Methamphetamine, Tampering with Evidence, Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (methamphetamine), and Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activities. Due to the Secret designation of the indictments we cannot disclose the names of the individuals until a Judge opens those indictments in court when the subjects appear for arraignment/bond determination which in most of the cases will be FRIDAY, June 23 at 9 a.m. in the Clermont County Common Pleas Courthouse, Batavia.
Identities of those charged and details concerning the cases will be released thereafter at the discretion of the Clermont County Prosecutor’s Office. In addition to the Secret indictments, the Grand Jury returned non-secret indictments against two (2) other subjects who were targets of the investigation: Chad Fields, 30 years old, currently in the custody of the Ohio State Penal System, was indicted for one count each of Illegal Assembly of Chemicals, Tampering with Evidence, and Conspiracy, all felonies. Billy Goforth, 23 years old, confined in the Clermont County Jail was indicted for one count each of Illegal Manufacture of Drugs, Illegal Assembly of Chemicals, Tampering with Evidence, and Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity, all felonies.
The operation designated “Clean Sweep” represents the largest law enforcement effort ever in Clermont County targeting persons who have been identified as primary manufacturers and suppliers in the local methamphetamine trade. We believe the successful completion of this portion of the operation will have a significant impact on the availability of methamphetamine within Clermont County. The Clermont County Narcotics Unit anticipates additional arrests and indictments as the operation continues.
Entities that assisted in “Clean Sweep” include the Clermont County Narcotics Unit, Clermont County Sheriff’s Office, Brown County Sheriff’s Office, Bethel Police Department, Williamsburg Police Department, Felicity Police Department, Pierce Township Police Department, Mt. Orab Police Department, and the Clermont County Prosecutor’s Office. Questions should be directed to Don White or Woody Breyer at the Clermont County Prosecutor’s Office (513) 732-7313. Deputies spent Thursday seeking the twelve (12) secretly indicted subjects and as of 3 p.m. had found and arrested eight (8) of them who will be confined in the Clermont County Jail pending arraignment and bond hearings in Clermont County Common Pleas Court. After the indictments are opened in court, booking photos of the subjects may be obtained from Deputy Rob Cordes, 732-7508.
The Clermont County Narcotics Unit, under the management and authority of the Clermont County Sheriff, is a multi-agency unit with employees from the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office, Clermont County Prosecutor’s Office, Union Township Police Department, Miami Township Police Department, and the City of Milford Police Department.
Sheriff A.J. Rodenberg, Jr.