United States Marshals Service, Southern Ohio Organized and Major Crimes Task Force conduct multi-county operation; 4 arrested

On Aug. 21, the United States Marshals Service, working in partnership with the Southern Ohio Organized and Major Crimes Task Force (SOOMCTF), conducted a coordinated operation spanning Scioto County, Ohio; Adams County, Ohio; and Greenup County, Ky.

The operation resulted in the arrest of four individuals — three on secret indictments and one on a parole violation.

Arrested were:

• Patricia Hill, 38, of Portsmouth;

• Robert Roe, 42, of Cincinnati;

• Rodney Kent, 42, of Wheelersburg; and

• Michael Scott, 58, of Adams County.

Hill, Roe, and Kent face a combined total of 16 first-degree felony charges, 18 second-degree felony charges, and 15 third-degree felony charges, primarily related to alleged drug trafficking and possession offenses.

Scott was arrested on a parole violation for absconded supervision, stemming from his original conviction for attempted murder. 

Members of the Southern Ohio Organized and Major Crimes Task Force issued this joint statement: “This joint effort underscores the importance of collaboration between federal, state and local agencies. We especially want to thank Greenup County Sheriff Matt Smith and Adams County Sheriff Kenny Dick for their assistance during this operation. Their support was critical to ensuring its success and making our communities safer.”

The Southern Ohio Organized and Major Crimes Task Force is made up of investigators from the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office, Portsmouth Police Department, Pike County Sheriff’s Office, Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, and the New Boston Police Department, along with the Scioto County and Pike County Prosecutor’s Offices The task force operates under the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission, which is overseen by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.