LANCASTER – Authorities believe they have cracked a drug ring that was a major supplier of methamphetamine in Fairfield County, raiding Pleasantville’s “Haunted Farm” and other properties and arresting several people, including the Reynoldsburg man they say is the ringleader.
Ten people are facing a total of more than 60 felony charges as a result of “Operation Crystal Clear,” a five-month investigation carried out by the Fairfield-Hocking-Athens Major Crimes Unit and other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
“Those who conspire to profit and exploit those suffering from substance abuse disorders should know that we know who they are, and we will use all available resources and investigative tools to bring them to justice,” said Commander Dennis Lowe of the Major Crimes Unit, which began its investigation in February.
After gathering evidence that Timothy Hicks, 52, of Pleasantville, and Michael Hedges, 39, of Lancaster, were allegedly distributing large amounts of methamphetamine in Fairfield and Licking County, local investigators working with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation traced the supply back to the alleged ringleader of the group, Rashad Martin, 31, of Reynoldsburg, who authorities say sold bulk amounts of methamphetamine to Hicks and Hedges, who then allegedly worked with seven street-level dealers:
Jessica L. Ballard, 28, Lancaster
Mark E. Bowers, 62, Groveport
Charles C. Emrick Jr., 37, Newark
Anthony A. Ficheria, 43, Hebron
Reba L. Hyme, 23, Lancaster
William B. Smith, 33, Lancaster
Holly J. Watkins, 37, Lancaster
During the investigation authorities served search warrants at multiple locations in Lancaster and Pataskala and at the “Haunted Farm,” a Halloween attraction on Old Millersport Road in Pleasantville, where Hicks lived, DeWine said.
Authorities also seized three pounds of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $78,000; approximately $30,000 in cash, as well as nine firearms, four vehicles and a stolen stump grinder valued at more than $38,000, DeWine said.
Martin, Hicks, and Hedges are each facing numerous charges including engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and trafficking in drugs.
Authorities believe the methamphetamine that was allegedly trafficked by this organization was manufactured by Mexican cartels and transported to Ohio.
Throughout the state, DeWine says the abuse of methamphetamine has significantly increased in recent years.