(Court Reports - Photo Illustration/MetroCreativeConnection)

ELIZABETH — Wirt County Prosecuting Attorney Austin Grimmett announced Tuesday the arrests and/or filing of criminal charges against 18 individuals following an extensive drug trafficking investigation dubbed “Operation Blackjack.”

The investigation was conducted jointly by the Wirt County Sheriff’s Department, Wirt County EMS, Parkersburg Narcotics Task Force, West Virginia State Police, WVSP Bureau Criminal Investigations, WVSP Violent Crime Task Force, WVSP Internet Crimes Against Children Unit, West Virginia Department of Human Services, and West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation Special Operations Unit.

“Operation Blackjack” targeted drug trafficking activities that have negatively impacted local communities and is believed to be the largest law enforcement operation targeting drug trafficking in Wirt County history, according to Grimmett. Over several months, law enforcement investigated individuals alleged to be illegally distributing controlled substances within Wirt County.

Additional arrests are expected as an outcome of this investigation, Grimmett said.

The following individuals were arrested and are currently facing charges related to drug trafficking crimes:

* Burton Paul Copen, 40, of Elizabeth, charged with four counts of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

* Timothy Andrew Bailey, 60, of Elizabeth, charged with three counts of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance; four counts of conspiracy; and two counts of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

* Jesse William Woods, 43, of Elizabeth, charged with two counts of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance; two counts of conspiracy; and one count of distribution of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school.

* Jonathan Cade Smarr, 35, of Elizabeth, charged with three counts of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance; two counts of conspiracy; and one count of distribution of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school.

* Michelle D. Gearheart, 49, of Elizabeth, charged with five counts of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance; two counts of distribution of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school; two counts of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance; and one count of conspiracy.

* Jodi Sheree McClead, 46, of Elizabeth, charged with two counts of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

* Jerry Ray Shepard, 60, of Elizabeth, charged with three counts of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance; two counts of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance; and four counts of conspiracy.

* Brandon Lee Baker, 23, of Elizabeth, charged with two counts of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance; and two counts of conspiracy.

* Dakota Leigh Stutler, 25, of Elizabeth, charged with two counts of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance; and two counts of conspiracy.

* Caleb Daniel McClung, 41, of Elizabeth, charged with three counts of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance; three counts of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance; four counts of conspiracy; and one count of gross neglect of child creating a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury.

* Cindy Lynn Givens, 37, of Elizabeth, charged with six counts of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance; one count of gross neglect of child creating a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury; and four counts of conspiracy.

* Glenna Conley, 58, of Elizabeth, charged with two counts of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance; and one count of conspiracy.

* Todd Clark Young, 36, of Elizabeth, charged with one count of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance; and one count of conspiracy.

* Johnathan Michael Corrigan, 31, of Elizabeth, charged with six counts of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

* Robert Lee Franklin, 33, of Elizabeth, charged with five counts of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

* Joshua Charles Hutchinson, 32, of Elizabeth, charged with one count of possession of controlled substance; and one count of obstruction of law enforcement officer.

Additional arrest warrants were served upon defendants found during the execution of the investigation.

Grimmett expressed his gratitude for the collaboration between local and state law enforcement agencies, and the Wirt County Commission for their support.

“Protecting the safety and well-being of Wirt County’s residents is our top priority. These arrests are a clear message that drug trafficking will not be tolerated, and those responsible will be held accountable under the law,” he said.