'Operation Burning Sun' yields multiple arrests in Pike County
Ohio Attorney General David Yost, Pike County Sheriff Tracy D. Evans, Pike County Prosecutor Michael A. Davis, Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman, Portsmouth Police Chief Debby Brewer, New Boston Police Chief Carl Compton and Scioto County Prosecutor Shane Tieman announce Operation Burning Sun, which involved the Southern Ohio Organized & Major Crimes Task Force, the Pike County Sheriff’s Office, the Pike County Prosecutor’s Office, Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Portsmouth Police SWAT Team and the Chillicothe Police SWAT Team serving numerous search and arrest warrants in Pike County.
This operation was a continuation of previous investigations stemming from previous Task Force operations referred to as Operation Silent Night, which took place in Pike County in December of 2022, and investigations thereafter. These alleged illegal drug and narcotics investigations contributed to the arrest of many suspects allegedly selling and/or possessing drugs in Pike County.
On June 13, units responded to Guilkey Road, which resulted in the arrest of Rick Kinzer on charges of aggravated trafficking in drugs and aggravated possession of drugs and William Waughtel on warrants.
On July 3, law enforcement executed warrants on Shoemaker Road, which resulted in the arrest of Steven Richards on charges of failure to comply with the order and signal of a police officer, receiving stolen property and having weapons under disability.
On July 18, search warrants were served at three different locations, including two residences on Al Leeth Road. At one of those locations, Terry Titer was arrested on drug charges. At the second location, Matthew Zimmerman was arrested on warrants, and Mara Morrison, a registered sex offender, was also arrested on warrants.
A third search warrant executed July 18, this one at Buchanan Road, resulted in the arrest of Ashley Vest on warrants and Christopher Vest on drug charges. Both suspects are also being held on alleged probation violations.
During this operation, fentanyl, methamphetamine and numerous firearms that were allegedly in the hands of felons with violent histories were taken off the street. Stolen property was recovered, including an ATV that was reported stolen out of Florida in 2009.
Cash proceeds from criminal activity such as drug trafficking were also seized, along with many different types of digital scales and other drug paraphernalia allegedly used in the trafficking and use of drugs.
Anyone wishing to leave drug information for the Southern Ohio Organized & Major Crimes Task Force should phone the Pike County Sheriff’s Office tip line at (740) 947-2111 ext. 5 or Task Force tip line at (740) 354-5656 or email drugs@sciotocountysheriff.com. All information will be kept confidential and anonymous.
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