Chillicothe, OH — October 1, 2024 — The Chillicothe Police Department’s SWAT team executed a high-risk, no-knock search warrant at 343 South Watt Street in connection with an ongoing drug investigation. The search, authorized by Judge Michael Ater, was carried out after numerous complaints about drug activity linked to the residence.
Several members of the Chillicothe SWAT team participated in the operation, which was led by Detective Adam Steele. The mission began with the deployment of the SWAT team to the targeted property, where officers detained several individuals at the scene, including Katherine Barnes, Jason Fisher, and Preston Colter.
Upon arrival, officers observed Barnes and Fisher outside the house. Both complied with commands and were placed in custody. Colter, who was located in the rear garage, was also detained without incident. All subjects were taken into custody while the team proceeded to clear the house and search the property.
The search yielded significant evidence, including drug paraphernalia such as digital scales, plastic baggies, burnt pipes, and tin foil—common tools used in the trafficking and consumption of illicit narcotics. Additionally, two handgun holsters and loose ammunition were discovered in the basement and garage areas.
Detectives, who had been monitoring the property, had previously observed Preston Colter frequenting the residence. Colter claimed he was only visiting and moving personal items to the home for a friend who was recently incarcerated. Both Barnes and Fisher, however, acknowledged that the residence had become a “safe house” for drug dealers, particularly after allowing a third individual, Enddasey Johnson, to stay there. Barnes and Fisher admitted that they were paid in narcotics for allowing drug dealers to operate out of the home. They both also recalled a previous search warrant executed at the residence in January, for which they were warned about permitting drug abuse.
Despite the findings, all three individuals were released from the scene after being informed that charges of Possession of Drugs and Permitting Drug Abuse could be filed pending lab results on the substances found in the garage. The suspected drugs will be sent to the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) for analysis.
Following the search, the scene was turned over to detectives for further investigation. The police team continued to secure the property until they were cleared from the location.
The investigation remains ongoing, and charges are pending based on the results of the drug analysis.
