In Picture: Sheriff David M. Lucas, Asst. Coroner-Jack Morgan, Coroner-Dr. Troy Balgo

The Belmont County Sheriff’s Office honored Assistant Coroner, Jack Morgan’s retirement on Monday, May 18, 2015. Invited guests and Coroner, Dr. Troy Balgo were present when Sheriff Lucas presented him with a plaque thanking him for his dedication to Belmont County. A lunch was provided for Mr. Morgan and guests.

The Belmont County Department of Jobs & Family Services and the Belmont County Board of Commissioners recognize individuals and organizations who are working together to advocate for abused and neglected children in Belmont County. Each year they choose an advocate within our community who has gone out of their way to help these children. This year the Child Advocate of the Year Award was presented to Leslie Vassilaros at the Annual Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention Lunch, held at Undo’s West in St.Clairsville on April 16, 2015. Leslie is the Executive Director of Harmony House Children’s Advocacy Center. Harmony House exists to ensure that no child is further victimized by systems designed to protect her or him. The child well-being is the first priority.

Pictured is Leslie Vassilaros and Belmont County Department of Jobs & Family Services Director Vince Gianangeli.

Joe Krehlik was recently put on as a Special Deputy with the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office. He is a Certified Professional Photographer.

He will be available to take photos of cases that are not being processed by BCI & I. He will be an asset to our organization, bringing his professional photography to us for use in investigations through prosecution.

Phil Chalmers was recently put on as a Special Deputy with the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office. He is one of America’s Leading Authorities on Juvenile Homicide and Juvenile Mass Murder. For more information on Special Deputy Chalmers you can visit his web site at www.philchalmers.com.

Belmont County Sheriff David Lucas and sheriff’s deputies conducted a self defense demonstration for courthouse staff as part of the county Wellness Committee program.

Read more on the Times Leader website.

A traffic stop in the Morristown area was made successful by K-9 Luke and the assistance of the Ohio State Highway Patrol on Thursday. Drugs and numerous drug-related paraphernalia were recovered and 40-year-old Jamie Cole was charged with driving while under the influence, drug trafficking, as well as possession of cocaine, heroin, and drug abuse instruments.

Read more on the WTOV9 website.

Members of the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man facing numerous charges involving child pornography earlier this week. And on Friday morning, Sheriff Dave Lucas said with the help and support of commissioners, many of these kinds of arrests are forthcoming. “Pretty much within a week, we got our first case on hand,” Lucas said.

Read more on the WTOV9 website.

Andrea Gatti and Rusty Lucey were promoted to Detective Sergeants on Tuesday, October 14, 2014. This step was taken to bring Detectives Unit up to date and all staff within the unit will be Detective Sergeants.

During a routine traffic stop on US 40 near Blaine, a large amount of drugs and money was taken off the streets of Belmont County. A Belmont County Patrol Deputy made the stop and upon investigation found the suspect to be on Federal Parole and asked for permission to search the vehicle. Martins Ferry Police Department was contacted and asked to assist with their K-9 unit. When the K-9 unit arrived, the suspect was asked to step out of his vehicle. While the K-9 was walking toward the vehicle, the suspect fled and was apprehended and restrained. The suspect’s vehicle was towed and is awaiting a search warrant. 81 grams of illegal drugs including heroin and cocaine and over $7,000.00 was put into evidence.

From the WTOV 9 website:

It’s called “Operation Short Shield.” News9’s Kate Davison climbed inside of a cruiser for a special report on how the collaboration between law enforcement agencies brings results.

Shield detail involves numerous agencies coming together for one common cause — to enforce the law –in two separate facets: Criminal patrol and OVI patrol. Last Friday night, Sgt. Jason Greenwood with the Ohio State Highway Patrol let NEWS9 tag along with him. The ride along was nothing less than eventful. The event included more than 24 units and 36 continuous hours of patrol. “We aggressively are looking for criminals, people that are operating vehicles while they’re impaired,” said Lt. James Faunda of the OSHP.

And a focused approach between members of the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Martins Ferry Police and the Belmont County Drug Task Force. Its success rests on a combined effort of the agencies. “We all know that we have a problem, from alcohol to drugs and criminal activities,” Belmont County Sherriff Dave Lucas said.

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