SIDNEY — Seven people are in custody after Sidney law enforcement officers sweep across the city executing search and arrest warrants during two days of “In Force Labor.”
According to Sidney Police Capt. Jerry A. Tangeman’s press release, on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019, at approximately 3:45 p.m., two arrest teams comprising of officers from the Sidney Police Department (SPD) executed a Sidney wide arrest operation of approximately 16 individuals wanted on drug arrest warrants and other crimes issued by a Shelby County Common Pleas Grand Jury earlier that day.
The arrest warrants were for 59 counts of felony drug offenses, comprising mainly of trafficking and possession charges of fentanyl, heroin, meth, cocaine and Suboxone.
The warrants originated from several months of undercover investigations coordinated by the SPD’s narcotics unit and vigilant drug enforcement by the Sidney’s patrol division.
As of 7 p.m. Thursday evening, six indicted individuals had been located, arrested and transported to the Shelby County Jail.
Arrested during the round-up on felony drug related offenses were:
• Cindy Maxwell, 38, 137 Oldham Ave.;
• Rendall Vaughn, 31, 701 Monroe St.;
• Ryan Leach, 38, 218 Forest St.;
• Troy D. McRae Sr., 56, 311 N. Ohio Ave., Apt. A;
• Howard Slagel, 61, 1133 Hamilton Court.
Another Sidney resident, James Hughes, 48, 809 W. North St., was arrested during the arrest operation on one count disseminating matter harmful to juveniles, and on one count of attempted pandering obscenity involving a minor. Both offenses are felonies of the fifth-degree.
Law enforcement is still seeking others indicted as a result of the undercover operations.
And previously, on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, at approximately 8:30 a.m, SPD executed a narcotic’s search warrant at 701 W. North St. The initial entry and securing of the location had to be accomplished by utilizing the services of the Sidney-Piqua Tactical Response Team (TRT), the release said. The TRT was used because the residence was deemed a high risk to officer’s safety.
Tim Anderson, 49, at large, was arrested during this operation. He was charged with one count of possession of meth a felony of the fifth-degree.
These latest warrants are a continued effort by SPD to combat drug abuse and drug trafficking in Sidney. Information resulting in these warrants was derived in part from concerned citizens.
Anyone with any information about drug activity is asked to contact SPD at 937-498-2351 or Crime Stoppers at 937-492-8477 (TIPS).
