NEWS RELEASE:
On March 14, 2018, law enforcement officers served three residential search warrants in three counties following an investigation into the illegal cultivation of marijuana. Following the Investigation an Upper Sandusky man was arrested.
The investigation was initiated by the Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office and the Wyandot County Major Crimes Unit in January of 2018, and a suspect was developed. This Investigation expanded from Wyandot into Marion and Crawford counties in Ohio.
Investigators found that multiple marijuana cultivation buildings or “grow operations” were being utilized for the illegal production and sale of marijuana. Investigators from Wyandot, Crawford and Marion counties worked together in a collaborative effort which culminated into search warrants being served in each of the three counties only minutes apart.
Detectives from the Mar-Met Drug Task Force and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office served a warrant at 1841 Linn-Hipsher Road Marion Ohio. Investigators located 84 marijuana plants in various stages of growth, 4.3 grams of cocaine, marijuana wax, cash and a gun at this residence. Five people were located on the property and were detained for questioning. The original suspect of this investigation was located on the property and identified as William S. Rimmer of Upper Sandusky.
Detectives from the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, Bucyrus Police Department, and the Galion Police Department served a warrant at 325 Norse St. in Bucyrus. Investigators located marijuana and marijuana wax at this residence.
The resident of this property was located at the search operation on Linn-Hipsher Road in Marion.
Detectives from the Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office and the Wyandot County Major Crimes Unit served a search warrant at 341 W. Wyandot Ave, the residence of the main suspect, William S. Rimmer.
Investigators located 184 marijuana plants in various stages of growth, a large amount mature marijuana in the drying process and marijuana wax.
William S. Rimmer, 37, of Upper Sandusky was arrested in Marion County and transported to Wyandot County where he faces felony charges. Charges are pending on other individuals that were involved in this enterprise.
The marijuana grow operations in Wyandot and Marion counties were disassembled by investigators and an agent from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). An Enforcement Agent from the Ohio Department of Taxation was also present at the service of the Wyandot County search warrant.
Wyandot, Crawford and Marion counties are all members of the METRICH Enforcement Unit. The Upper Sandusky police Department and the Carey Police Department also participated in the service of the search warrant in Wyandot County. The Wyandot County Prosecutor’s Office also assisted in the investigation.
Sheriff Michael R. Hetzel
Wyandot County Sheriff