“Operation April Fools”
GRANTSVILLE, WV – Sheriff Graham Knight announced today, April 4, 2026, the arrest and/or filing of criminal charges against several individuals following an extensive 8-month long investigation led by Chief Deputy Charles Stephens, with assistance from Deputy H. Stephens, the Wirt County Sheriff’s Department and the Grantsville Detachment of the WVSP. With the majority of charges being filed on April 1, 2026, this operation was named “Operation April Fools”. Over an 8-month period this operation targeted individuals alleged to be illegally possessing and distributing controlled substances within Calhoun County.
The following individuals were arrested and are currently facing drug trafficking related charges:
- Richard Earl “Dickey” Conley, age 67, of Mount Zion, WV, charged with one count of manufacture, delivery or possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute in violation of WV Code 60A-4-401(a)(ii); and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in violation of WV Code 61-7-7(b)(2).
- David Glen Jones, age 58, of Annamoriah, WV, charged with two counts of manufacture, delivery or possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) with intent to distribute in violation of WV Code 60A-4-401 (a)(i).
- Kevin Eugene Tanner, age 38, of Big Bend, WV, charged with one count of manufacture, delivery or possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) with intent to distribute in violation of WV Code 60A-4-401(a)(i).
- Melissa Jean Shrader, age 45, of Creston, WV, charged in Wirt County with one count of manufacture, delivery or possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) with intent to distribute in violation of WV Code 60A-4-401(a)(i).
- Jason Michael Stevens, age 46, of Big Springs, WV, charged with three counts of manufacture, delivery or possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) with intent to distribute in violation of WV Code 60A-4-401(a)(i); and one count of manufacture, delivery or possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute in violation of WV Code 60A-4-401(a)(ii).
- Lloyd Dwayne Drake, age 58, of Big Bend, WV, charged with one count of manufacture, delivery or possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute in violation of WV Code 60A-4-401(a)(ii).
- Donald Lee Drake, age 54, of Big Bend, WV, charges pending arrest.
- As Sheriff, I have been elected to protect the safety and well-being of this county’s residents, and my team and I will not tolerate those among us who prey upon those with substance use disorders. Let these arrests be a clear message that drug trafficking will not be tolerated and that those responsible will be held accountable under the laws of our state.
- All charges are mere allegations and each suspect/defendant within our justice system has the presumption of innocence until proven guilty beyond any reasonable doubt.
