Largest oxycodone pill bust in Lawrence County history

On Monday, Jan. 9, 2017, officers from the Lawrence Drug and Major Crimes Task Force, Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office, Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office and the Ironton Police Department executed search warrants at four locations in Ironton; 716 Latonia Street, 718 Latonia St., 1304 S. Fourth St., and 1306 S. Fourth St.

The search warrants stemmed from a three-month task force investigation involving an organized group of individuals from both Ironton and Michigan who trafficked in large quantities of oxycodone tablets.

“This was a several month investigation by the three agencies, who worked in conjunction with each other,” Lawrence County Prosecutor Brigham Anderson said. “It was four locations with four separate search warrants, and it’s the largest amount of oxycodone pills we’ve ever seized in Lawrence County.”

During the searches officers seized two assault rifles, two hand guns, $12,235 cash, 190 morphine tablets, 4152 oxycodone tablets with a combined estimated value of $174,000. This is the largest seizure of oxycodone tablets in Lawrence County to date.

The arrestees included James Eric Harrell, 46, of 1304 S. Fourth St., Ironton, formerly of Michigan, on charges of first-degree trafficking in drugs and first-degree engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity; Kimberly Ann Montgomery, 50, of 2004 S. Sixth Street, Ironton, on charges of first-degree trafficking in drugs and first-degree engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity; and Robert L. Williams, 58, of 2004 S. Sixth Street, Ironton, on charges of third-degree trafficking in drugs.

Two suspects are still at large, and are believed to be in the Detroit, Michigan area. They are Antonio N. Smith AKA Tony Smalls, 46, who is 6’1”, weighs 225 pounds with brown eyes and black hair; and Carlos Demetrence Smith, 43, who is 5’7” with brown eyes and black hair.

Anyone with information on these individuals and their location can contact the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office at 740-532-3525 or leave information anonymously at the Lawrence Drug and Major Crimes Task Force hotline at 740-534-5830.