On 12 Jun 2023 Detectives responded to 1309 Sandhill Road, Marietta Township, to execute a search warrant at the Charles Edward Haught III residence. 

On 12 Jan 2023 Sgt. McConnell responded to 440 Highland Ridge Road, Muskingum Township, in reference to the theft of a wood chipper belonging to Asplundh Tree Service.  Camera footage was available, however the only description of the vehicle was a white truck, unknown make, model, and license plate.

On 15 Feb 2023 detectives met with Marietta PD Officers regarding a possible suspect in this case, as they had been investigating stolen dump trailer(s).  Officers had been working a stolen dump trailer case from 1 Feb 2023.  Officers were able to identify a possible suspect from a suspect vehicle. 

Det. Dolly obtained search warrants and was able to view messages between Charles Edward Haught III and another subject.   This subject had sent a photograph to Haught on 30 Jan of a Moritz dump trailer, inquiring if he wanted to buy the trailer. 

On 12 Jun 2023 detectives observed a black dump trailer, similar to the Marietta PD stolen trailer, in the yard at Haught’s residence.  Photographs observed by detectives were consistent with the markings on the trailer at that residence. 

Detectives secured a search warrant and responded to 1902 Sandhill Road, Marietta Township to execute the warrant.  The aforementioned Moritz dump trailer was confirmed to be the stolen dump trailer in the Marietta PD case.  Haught was interviewed in reference to the trailer and confirmed the trailer was his.  Haught originally lied and said he bought the trailer in 2022 from a subject in Gallipolis, OH, however Haught eventually confirmed he traded some items to the aforementioned subject for the trailer.

Detectives searched the 2003 GMC Envoy looking for items mentioned in the original search warrants.  A black pouch was located which contained marijuana, suspected shrooms, a large clear rock (suspected methamphetamine, and several bags of white powder.  The search was concluded and the vehicle secured and towed by WCSO. 

A search warrant was obtained for the vehicle and the bag containing a bulk amount of clear rock, testing positive for methamphetamine, was found to weigh 26.7 grams and was taken as evidence.

Haught, age 39, was placed under arrest and transported to the Washington County Jail charged with 1 count of trafficking in drugs, 1 count of possession of a controlled substance  and 1 count of receiving stolen property.

Haught appeared in Marietta Municipal Court on 13 Jun 2023 and is being held in the Washington County Jail on $25,000 bond.