Four people from Zanesville have been arrested as a result of a multi-county drug investigation conducted by law enforcement from the Muskingum County/Zanesville City Joint Drug Unit, Perry County Sheriff’s Office and Central Ohio Drug Enforcement task force.

“This was one of those investigations that involves everybody,” said Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz. “Never know where it’s going to end up, where it’s going to lead to.”

In addition to the arrests, the investigation yielded the seizure of methamphetamine, fentanyl, suboxone, marijuana, drug packaging material, U.S. currency and a vehicle.

On Thursday, March 28, authorities arrested Richard Goldsmith, Matthew Smith, William Stotts and Kayla Jones at different locations.

Goldmith, 41, and Smith, 38, were arrested by officers from the Zanesville Police Department following a traffic stop in which fentanyl, Suboxone and money were located inside the vehicle. Officers identified the vehicle as one connected to an active investigation at an apartment in Nashport.

“We’ve been getting some citizen complaints as well as intel through our drug unit for drug trafficking … at this apartment,” said Lutz. “That’s where the investigations stem from.”

From that residence, located at 715 Elberon Ave., Apt. 12, deputies from the Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office arrested 39 year-old Stotts. During his arrest, deputies recovered drug packaging material, U.S. currency and drug paraphernalia.

The Muskingum County/Zanesville City Joint Drug Unit, Perry County Sheriff’s Office and Central Ohio Drug Enforcement Task Force executed a search warrant at the same address, resulting in the additional arrest of 37 year-old Jones, who lives at the apartment. During the search, methamphetamine, fentanyl, suboxone, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and drug packaging equipment and material were located. In addition to Jones’ arrest, another individual was briefly detained.

Additionally, two others were detained during a traffic stop conducted the CODE Task Force interdiction unit from the Perry County Sheriff’s Office. Those individuals are not being identified as they are still awaiting formal charges. From that traffic stop, fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were recovered from the vehicle.

“In these instances, you can almost bet that we’ve had some people supplying and we’ve had some people selling and we’ve had some people possessing, said Lutz. “Depending on how we catch them is what we can charge them with at that time.”

The individuals in this case have been charged with the following felonies:

Richard Goldsmith

• Two counts trafficking in drugs (methamphetamine), first-degree felony
• Possession of drugs (methamphetamine), second-degree felony
• Possession of drugs (fentanyl), fourth-degree felony
• Possession of drug (suboxone), fifth-degree felony

Kayla Jones

• Trafficking in drugs (methamphetamine), first-degree felony
• Possession of drugs (methamphetamine), second-degree felony
• Possession of drug (fentanyl), fifth-degree felony
• Permitting drug abuse, fifth-degree felony

Matthew R. Smith

• Trafficking in drugs (methamphetamine), first-degree felony
• Possession of drugs (fentanyl), fourth-degree felony

William Stotts

• Trafficking in drugs (methamphetamine), first-degree felony

“For these four individuals, of course, they have a long road to travel down the court system, but, you know, our agency, Muskingum County Sheriff’s department, CODE, Perry County, we’re all working together,” said Zanesville Police Chief Tony Coury. “As you can see, they work pretty well together. It’s… very few glitches that take place, and we’re getting good results.”

The investigation remains ongoing, and anyone with information about the case or any other drug information is urged to call the Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office and the Zanesville Police Department with their tips.

“We are following up on these things. These guys do a remarkable job of logging intel, of knowing the faces, of knowing the people, and they have a list of who’s dealing drugs in Muskingum County and the City,” said Lutz. “It’s just a matter of when we’re going to get them.”