7 charged in Highland County Task Force investigation; suspected drugs seized
Suspected drugs were seized during search warrants executed in connection with this Highland County Task Force investigation. (Highland County Task Force photos)
Seven individuals were named in a 32-count drug-related indictment handed down by a Highland County grand jury Tuesday, Oct. 3 as the result of a Highland County Task Force investigation.
Local law enforcement officers have been making arrests and executing search warrants this week in relation to this case. Assisting with the investigation were Highland County Task Force Chief Investigator Randy Sanders and Investigator Chris Bowen; Hillsboro Police Officers Brian Butler and Brett McMillan; Greenfield Police Officer Justin Brewer; and Highland County Sheriff’s Office Detective Sergeant Vincent Antinore.
According to Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins, while executing search warrants, law enforcement seized bags of suspected psilocybin (shrooms) and marijuana; multiple boxes of THC cartridges; hashish in solid form; and hashish and liquid form.
The indictment included 27 counts against Justin Kyle Anderson, 36, of Hillsboro, who is facing multiple first-degree felony drug trafficking charges as well as being accused of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.
Anderson was arrested Tuesday, Oct. 3.
Anderson’s charges include:
• Eight first-degree felony counts: two counts of trafficking in hashish (liquid) in the vicinity of a school zone; engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity; trafficking in marijuana in the vicinity of a school zone; aggravated trafficking in drugs (Adderall) in the vicinity of a school zone; aggravated possession of drugs (Adderall); trafficking in hashish (solid) in the vicinity of a school zone; and possession of hashish (liquid).
• Six second-degree felony counts: possession of marijuana; possession of hashish (solid); trafficking in marijuana in the vicinity of a school zone; trafficking in hashish (solid) in the vicinity of a school zone; aggravated trafficking in drugs (psilocybin) in the vicinity of a school zone; and possession of hashish (liquid).
• Seven third-degree felony counts: two counts of trafficking in marijuana in the vicinity of a school zone; aggravated trafficking in drugs (Adderall) in the vicinity of a school zone; having weapons while under disability; possession of marijuana; possession of hashish (solid); and aggravated possession of drugs (psilocybin).
• Five fifth-degree felony counts: two counts of aggravated possession of drugs (Adderall); two counts of aggravated possession of drugs (MDMA); and aggravated possession of drugs (LSD).
• A forfeiture specification.
The indictment accuses Anderson of “conducting or participating in the affairs of an enterprise through a pattern of corrupt activity” from May 1, 2020 through Oct. 2, 2023.
The drug charges are for numerous alleged incidents during that time frame where Anderson is accused of “knowingly selling or offering to sell,” or “knowingly obtaining possessing or using,” drugs including marijuana, Adderall, MDMA (ecstasy), hashish, psilocybin (shrooms) and Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD).
Also arrested in connection with this investigation were:
• Auberie G. Utley, 26: trafficking in hashish (liquid) in the vicinity of a school zone, a first-degree felony; and possession of hashish (liquid), a second-degree felony.
• Melanie Ann Anderson, 57: two counts of permitting drug abuse, both fifth-degree felonies; and a forfeiture specification.
• James Steven Fettro, 61: permitting drug abuse, a fifth-degree felony; and a forfeiture specification.
Three other individuals are awaiting arrest.
An indictment is merely a charge and is not evidence of guilt.
