On 25 Nov 2022 Agents with Southeast Major Crimes Task Force arrested Shawn Allen Gates Jr. after a traffic stop in the city of Marietta, OH.

A MCTF Agent was on patrol on Washington Street, when a silver Dodge van bearing OH registration was traveling in the direction of the Agent, committing a traffic violation.  A traffic stop was initiated on the vehicle.

Contact was made with the driver and two occupants, one being Gates.  Gates spoke very quietly, initially advising he was Nicolas Gates.

While the agent was attempting to gain information, all occupants of the vehicle were displaying nervous behavior and multiple furtive movements by Gates, who was a rear passenger.  Due to this behavior and movements, all occupants were asked to step out of the vehicle.

At that time a small baggie containing a white powdery substance was observed located on the seat where Gates had been located.  Gates was advised of his rights and inquiring into the bag was made.  Gates eventually stated it was most likely cocaine. A further search of Gates revealed numerous baggies of methamphetamine and fentanyl that he had hidden in his jacket through a cut in the jacket.  Gates also had a large amount of money in his pocket that was later discovered to be $865.

The methamphetamine was found to weigh 227.78g (1/2 lb.), the fentanyl was 4.21g, and the cocaine was .45g, all weighed with their baggies.

Shawn Allen Gates Jr., age 24, 132 W. Crosier Street, Akron, OH, was placed under arrest and charged with trafficking in drugs and two counts of possession of a controlled substance. 

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.