PIKETON, OH — July 14, 2025
A coordinated investigation between Chillicothe Police and the Pike County Sheriff’s Office led to the execution of multiple search warrants and the arrest of several individuals connected to a suspected drug trafficking operation in Piketon.
According to Detective Adam Steele of the Chillicothe Police Department, authorities executed a search warrant on July 11 at 707 East Main Street, an apartment located above a laundromat, as part of an ongoing narcotics investigation involving suspects Richard McCallister and Joshua Conley.
Detectives had received information earlier that morning placing McCallister at the East Main Street apartment with Conley. Surveillance was set up and a silver GMC truck known to be driven by Conley was observed leaving the location. Pike County deputies conducted a traffic stop shortly after, arresting Conley and front-seat passenger Courtney Houghland without incident. During the stop, Houghland was found in possession of suspected crack cocaine.
A subsequent search of the apartment revealed clear signs of drug trafficking activity. Officers discovered approximately 225 grams of a crystalline substance inside a cooler in the back bedroom, along with digital scales and bundles of small plastic baggies — materials commonly used for packaging and distributing narcotics. A 9mm handgun was also found in a bedroom believed to belong to Conley and Houghland.
In a separate but connected operation, investigators also executed a search warrant at 193 Bloomfield Road, leading to the arrest of five individuals on a range of drug-related and felony charges:
- Melody Combs, 44, was charged with permitting drug abuse, cocaine possession, possession of Schedule I or II drugs, and drug trafficking.
- Dustin Cummings, 30, was charged with possession of Schedule I or II drugs and receiving stolen property.
- Joseph Hurley, 22, was arrested on charges including obstructing official business, receiving stolen property, possession of drugs, and three counts of having weapons while under disability.
- Richard McCallister, 44, the primary subject of the investigation, was found to have an active warrant and now faces charges of cocaine possession, Schedule I or II drug possession, and trafficking in drugs.
- Leah Michelle Pauley, 28, was arrested for obstructing official business, receiving stolen property, and possession of Schedule I or II drugs.
All evidence was secured by the Pike County Sheriff’s Office. Additional charges are expected as the investigation continues.
