Barnesville, OH – A narcotics investigation in Belmont County ended with an arrest Wednesday after police executed a search warrant near an elementary school, seizing drugs, cash, and a loaded firearm.
According to the Barnesville Police Department, officers worked alongside the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office on January 28, 2026, to serve a search warrant on North Broadway Street. The location was described as being near the local elementary school, raising safety concerns due to its proximity to children.
Police said the warrant stemmed from an ongoing narcotics investigation led by Barnesville officers. During the search, authorities reported finding nearly $4,000 in cash, approximately 40 grams of suspected methamphetamine, and a loaded handgun inside the residence.
William Gibbons, 43, of Barnesville, was taken into custody at the scene and transported to the Belmont County Jail. According to police, Gibbons is facing charges of Trafficking in Drugs, Possession of Drugs, and Having a Weapon Under Disability. Investigators allege the firearm was unlawfully possessed due to prior restrictions.
No injuries were reported during the execution of the warrant, and police confirmed there was no active threat to nearby residents or the school during the operation.
Authorities emphasized that investigations involving areas near schools are treated with heightened urgency due to the potential risk to students and staff. The case remains under investigation, and additional charges could be filed pending laboratory results from the suspected narcotics.
Gibbons is expected to appear in Belmont County court at a later date. All charges are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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