Special News 28 Sept 2022


On 27 Sept 2022 Agents with the Southeast Major Crimes Task Force conducted a search warrant at the residence of 524 Front St. in the City of Marietta, Washington County, Ohio, resulting in the arrest of five individuals.

Agents made entry into the home locating Candace Gibson and John Gibson.  

The search of the residence revealed 2 baggies containing 4.2 grams of methamphetamine, and the other containing 5.94 grams of fentanyl.  Also located were digital scales, baggies, and multiple hypodermic syringes. A glass tupperware style container with suspected fentanyl powder was also located.

After securing the residence Agents observed three males walking onto the porch toward the entrance to the home. The males, later identified as James Spriggs, Adam Trus and Eric Owens walked to the front porch and as agents opened the door and announced it was the police all three males took off running off the porch toward the front yard.  A short foot pursuit began with all three males being apprehended.

John William Gibson, age 42, 524 Fifth Street, Marietta, OH, was charged with trafficking in drugs (methamphetamine) an F3, trafficking in drugs (fentanyl) an F3, and permitting drug abuse an M1.

Candace Mae Gibson, age 39, 524 Fifth Street, Marietta, OH, was charged with trafficking in drugs (methamphetamine) an F3, trafficking in drugs (fentanyl) an F3, and permitting drug abuse an M1. 

Eric Shawn Owens, age 42, 195 McGill Road, Vincent, OH, James Clifford Spriggs, age 42, 501 Walnut Street, Belpre, OH, and Adam Joseph Trus, age 45, 1933 Princeton Street, Parkersburg, WV, were all charged with an M2 obstructing justice.

The Southeast Major Crimes Task Force is part of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s Organized Crime Investigation Commission and is comprised of representatives of the Washington, Morgan, Noble, Monroe, Meigs, and Athens County Sheriff’s Offices; the Marietta, Belpre, Middleport, McConnelsville, Nelsonville, and Glouster Police Departments; the Washington, Morgan, Noble, Monroe, Meigs, and Athens County Prosecutor’s Offices; and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.