Barker: Drug supplier taken off streets

NEW LEXINGTON - Perry County Sheriff William Barker said the man he believes to be Perry County's main methamphetamine and heroin supplier has been indicted on multiple drug trafficking charges.

Anthony B. Foster, 36, of Somerset, was arrested Oct. 17 at his West Sheridan Avenue home after an hourlong standoff with deputies, officials reported.

"Law enforcement officers from both Perry County Sheriff's Office and Somerset Police Department arrived at Foster's home to serve an arrest warrant on him as a result of a lengthy investigation into drug trafficking activities," Barker said. "Upon seeing officers on the property, 56-year-old Deborah Stevens warned her son that law enforcement was present and the two barricaded themselves inside the residence."

Barker said Foster was the link between Columbus suppliers and Perry County distributors in a network of people who engage in drug trafficking activities. However, he would not disclose the specifics or the amount of drugs potentially located during the investigation.

"We have identified at least eight individuals that Foster is alleged to be supplying drugs to," Barker said.

Upon searching Foster's home, officers reported they located a loaded AK-47 assault rifle and other firearms determined to be stolen from a residence in New Lexington. They also reported finding body armor, drugs, drug packaging equipment and currency.

Three days after his incarceration, officers received information that Foster and his mother were allegedly conspiring to smuggle drugs into the Perry County Jail. Barker said the pair enlisted the help of Christopher Dickerson, 31, of New Lexington, in their plot.

"Detectives were able to intercept the drugs that were strategically placed outside the inmate entrance to the jail before they made it to Foster," Barker said.

Detectives returned to the West Sheridan Avenue residence, where Stevens and Dickerson were arrested.

A fourth person, 29-year-old Shawna McGrath, of Corning, also was taken into custody for allegedly conspiring with Stevens to identify cooperating witnesses who helped law enforcement officials with their investigation.

"They planned to take measures to intimidate and prevent them from testifying," Barker said. "Stevens and McGrath were planning to assault the witnesses and their families and to vandalize property owned by the witnesses to influence their testimony."

Foster is being held at the Southeast Ohio Regional Jail in Nelsonville on charges of first-degree engaging in pattern of corrupt activity, three counts of aggravated trafficking of methamphetamine, trafficking heroin, money laundering, having weapons under disability, possession of drugs and receiving stolen property. If convicted of all counts, he faces up to 42 years in prison.

Stevens was indicted on two counts of obstructing justice, two counts of permitting drug abuse, illegal conveyance of drugs into a correctional facility, trafficking in drugs, intimidation of a witness and retaliation. If convicted on all counts, she faces up to 16 years in prison.

Dickerson was indicted on illegal conveyance of drugs into a correctional facility, trafficking in drugs and possession of criminal tools. If convicted on all counts, he faces up to seven years in prison.

McGrath was indicted on retaliation and intimidation of a witness. If convicted of both counts, she faces up to 10 years in prison.

"We are often criticized for not getting the larger dealers," Barker said. "From the information we have obtained from witnesses, we have taken the main distributor off the streets."

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