Sixteen people are facing charges following an investigation into a suspected drug trafficking ring in Pike County.
In a press conference held Thursday, Pike County Sheriff, Charlie Reader, said many of those charged have ties to, or are confirmed members of, the Konvicted Family, MS-13, and Good Fellas gangs. Detectives say they located cash and illegal drugs during the recent raids. All but four of those charged are said to reside in Pike County.
Reader said the drug ring is believed to be operated by Richard Smith, of Pike County, who is currently serving a state prison sentence. Several of those arrested are said to either be related to Smith or directly connected with him.
Smith is being charged with Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity, Conspiracy, Funding Drug Trafficking. and Drug Trafficking. Reader said Smith is affiliated with the Konvicted Family gang and also tied to the Good Fellas gang, and claims to have connections with MS-13.
Smith's girlfriend, Chasity Gillenwater, is charged with Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity, Conspiracy, Funding Drug Trafficking, Drug Trafficking, Tampering with Evidence, and Possession of a Controlled Substance. Sheriff Reader said Gillenwater is known to have ties to all three of the aforementioned gangs.
Smith's brother, Christopher Smith, of Pike County, is charged with Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity, Conspiracy, Funding Drug Trafficking, and Drug Trafficking. He is said to have ties to the Konvicted Family gang.
Jackie Smith, the wife of Christopher Smith, is charged with Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity, Conspiracy, Funding Drug Trafficking, and Drug Trafficking. She is also said to have ties to the Konvicted Family gang.
William Schneider is charged with Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity, Conspiracy, Funding Drug Trafficking, Drug Trafficking, and Possession of a Controlled Substance. He is said to have ties to the Konvicted Family.
Schneider's girlfriend, Donyiel Montgomery, is charged with Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity, Conspiracy, Funding Drug Trafficking, Drug Trafficking, and Possession of a Controlled Substance. She is also said to have ties to the Konvicted Family.
Ben Hatmacher, of Ross County, is charged with Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity, Conspiracy, Funding Drug Trafficking, Drug Trafficking, and Possession of a Controlled Substance. He is said to have ties to the Konvicted Family.
Claudia Wicker, of Waverly, is charged with Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity, Conspiracy, Funding Drug Trafficking, Drug Trafficking, and Possession of a Controlled Substance. She is said to have ties to the Konvicted Family.
David Crabtree Jr., of Pike County, is charged with Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity, Conspiracy, Funding Drug Trafficking, and Drug Trafficking. He is said to be a confirmed member of the Konvicted Family gang and known to have ties with MS-13 and Good Fellas.
Crabtree's wife, Ashley Crabtree, of Pike County, is charged with Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity, Conspiracy, Funding Drug Trafficking, and Drug Trafficking. She is said to be tied to the all three gangs as well.
Brian Lawson, of Pike County, is charged with Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity, Conspiracy, Funding Drug Trafficking, Drug Trafficking, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Tampering with Evidence. He is said to have ties to the Konvicted Family.
Lawson's girlfriend, Brittany Ruth, of Pike County, is charged with Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity, Conspiracy, Funding Drug Trafficking, Drug Trafficking, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Tampering with Evidence. She is said to have ties to the Konvicted Family.
David Crabtree Sr., of Pike County, is charged with Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity, Conspiracy, Funding Drug Trafficking, Drug Trafficking, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Tampering with Evidence. He is said to have ties to the Konvicted Family though his son, David Jr.
Courtney Crabtree, of Pike County, is charged with Tampering with Evidence. She is said to be tied to the Konvicted Family.
Sheriff Reader said charges are pending against Richard Smith's wife, April Smith, of Pike County, and her father, Brian Carter, of Ross County. Reader said they both have ties, through Richard Smith, to the MS-13, Good Fellas, and Konvicted Family gangs.
Reader said his office is seeking a 17th suspect, Elvie Royster, who Reader said is believed to be somewhere in either Scioto County or Ross County, for questioning in regards to the ongoing investigation.
Reader said additional arrests should also be expected.
The recent arrests follow a community warning by Sheriff Reader in late June that gang members might be headed to Pike County for possible retaliation against suspected snitches, and to circulate tainted drugs to bring about overdoses.