07 Apr US Attorney addresses public safety at Mingo County forum | News
Mike Stuart, U.S. Attorney for West Virginia’s Southern District, hosted a public safety forum in Williamson on Thursday, April 4, at the Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College campus.
The forum was presented in partnership with West Virginia’s Substance Abuse Prevention Coalitions. The meetings have been held at locations throughout the Southern District of West Virginia to provide an opportunity for an open discussion on substance abuse, violent crime, school safety and other public safety issues.
City and county government officials, public health officials, school administrators, prosecutors, public defenders, a DEA representative and local law enforcement representatives were some of those in attendance. There were about 50 who came to listen to Stuart’s presentation and then participated in a roundtable question-and-answer session.
Appalachian HIDTA State Coordinator Kenny Burner, a former state trooper who resided in Williamson during his time in law enforcement, also attended the forum. The mission for HIDTA is to enhance and coordinate drug enforcement efforts of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies within areas designated as High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas.
Prior to his confirmation as a U.S. attorney, Stuart said addressing the opioid epidemic would be a priority of his office. “We’re getting the upper hand on the opioid crisis,” Stuart told the group.
During his talk, Stuart announced a major drug bust that lead to the seizure of enough fentanyl to kill more than the combined populations of Logan and Mingo Counties.
Stuarts says two people from Parkersburg were arrested as part of Project Parkersburg, a major takedown and dismantling of a multi-state drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing methamphetamine and heroin.
Stuart said there has been several major drug roundups in different parts of the Mountain State. Another he mentioned was Operation Saigon Sunset focused on Huntington. “It’s been almost a year since we indicted the defendants in Operation Saigon Sunset,” said Stuart. “There is no revolving door. All of the defendants have been convicted and are in the process of being sentenced. Sentences well deserved.”
Stuart also said that the U.S. Attorney’s office would help officials battle crimes related to child exploitation in the Southern District of this state. This includes the Human Trafficking Task Force. The task force provides resources to identify, investigate and prosecute individuals who exploit children for sex, child pornography and human trafficking.
Kyle Lovern is the editor for the Williamson Daily News. He can be contacted at 304-236-3526 or via email at klovern@HDMediaLLC.com.
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