US Marshals investigation leads to 74 felony arrests in West Virginia

WEST VIRGINIA (WOWK) — Dozens of people are behind bars this week after a massive law enforcement investigation.

U.S. Marshals said that 74 felony arrests have been made across West Virginia for charges including sexual assault, human trafficking and drug violations. This follows a West Virginia CUFFED Task Force investigation that lasted nearly a month, called “Operation Rolling Waters.”

According to U.S. Marshals, the arrests include indictments against two previously convicted sex offenders and the seizure of three pounds of methamphetamine, 25 grams of crack cocaine, 60 grams of fentanyl, $11,991 in illicit funds and 13 guns.

“Violent criminals have no safe haven in Southern West Virginia,” said U.S. Marshal Michael Baylous. “The U.S. Marshals Service and our partners are aggressively pursuing those who prey upon our citizens. This operation is a clear and direct response to the President’s initiative to reduce violent crime, and we will not hesitate to do whatever it takes to keep our communities and the Mountain State safe.”

The US Marshals Service said that five of those arrested were also charged with wanton endangerment and conspiracy in connection with an Aug. 17 shooting near a church in Princeton.

Agencies involved include the U.S. Marshals CUFFED Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation, West Virginia State Police, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, Logan County Sheriff’s Office, Mason County Sheriff’s Office, Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, Mingo County Sheriff’s Office, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office, Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office, Beckley Police Department, Fayetteville Police Department, Lewisburg Police Department, Parkersburg Police Department, Princeton Police Department, St. Albans Police Department, and South Charleston Police Department.