Special News Release 2 Sept 2021
On 1 Sept 2021 Agents with the Major Crimes Task Force conducted an investigation resulting in the arrest of individuals on drug charges.
Agents conducted a search warrant at the residence located at 136 Franklin Street, Marietta, OH.
Once on scene, agents detained Travis Drake in the driveway next to his vehicle. Agents then approached the residence and observed Richard Hawkins at the entrance of the home. Hawkins was ordered out of the residence along with Emily Knotts, and three other females.
Hawkins was advised of his Miranda Rights and stated that he heard the police outside the home and took a zip lock baggie of heroin and/or fentanyl that he had just purchased from Drake and threw it in the garage. Hawkins stated that he would show officers where the “dope” was. Agents escorted Hawkins into the home to retrieve the drugs.
Hawkins obtained a container with methamphetamine, and then walked with agents into the garage and retrieved a zip lock baggie, stating it contained heroin or fentanyl. The baggie was later found to weigh 2.43 grams.
Hawkins located a metal box in the garage, opened the container and pointed out a bag of methamphetamine in the container. The bag of methamphetamine later weighed 3.01 grams. Hawkins stated that all the drugs belonged to him.
Agents located a container on Drake, which contained a powdery substance. Drake stated the item found on his person was fentanyl. This was later found to weigh 1.04g. Once Drake was transported to the Washington County Jail, deputies located another .31g of fentanyl in Drake’s possession before entering the jail.
Knotts advised agents she had been staying at the residence since she finished up her jail time in Virginia. Knotts stated that she knew known drug dealers had been coming to the residence and knew drugs were being sold from the residence. Knotts also advised agents that there was a container in the residence that contained drugs.
As a result of this investigation Richard Wesley Hawkins, age 51, 136 Franklin Street, Marietta, OH, was charged with possession of drugs a felony of the 4th degree, possession of drugs a felony of the 5th degree and tampering with evidence a felony of the 3rd degree.
Emily Brooke Knotts, age 44, 136 Franklin Street, Marietta, OH, was charged with permitting drug abuse a felony of the 5th degree.
Travis Benjamin Drake, age 44, 222 Valley Mills Circle, Parkersburg, WV, was charged with possession of drugs a felony of the 5th degree.
All subjects remained incarcerated at the Washington County Jail until their appearance in Marietta Municipal Court on 2 Sept 2021.
The Washington Morgan Noble Major Crimes Task Force is part of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s Organized Crime Investigation Commission and is comprised of representatives of Post 84 of the Ohio State Highway Patrol; Washington, Monroe, Morgan and Noble County Sheriff’s Offices; the Marietta, Belpre and McConnelsville Police Departments; and the Washington, Morgan and Noble County Prosecutor’s Office.
