Athens, OH – Two individuals were taken into custody Wednesday in Athens after deputies located a suspect with outstanding felony warrants allegedly hiding inside a U-Haul truck, leading to additional drug-related charges.
According to the Athens County Sheriff’s Office, the incident unfolded Wednesday when Athens Police Officer Tucker Johnson received information about a wanted subject reportedly traveling in a U-Haul within the city. While patrolling East State Street, Deputy K9 Unit made contact with the vehicle and identified the driver as Kevin Sheffer, 29.
Authorities said Sheffer allegedly provided misleading information about the subject’s whereabouts and denied knowledge of her location, despite reportedly being observed loading the truck at her residence. Deputies then noticed movement inside the vehicle and, upon further investigation, allegedly located Kendra Guess, 39, concealed within the U-Haul. Guess was taken into custody without incident.
Officials said Sheffer was detained and allegedly admitted to possessing narcotics during a pat-down and consent search. A K9 unit conducted a free-air sniff of the vehicle, which reportedly indicated the presence of drugs. A subsequent search allegedly uncovered suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Guess was transported to Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail and faces a charge of possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony. Authorities said the suspected narcotics will be analyzed by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and additional charges may be presented to a grand jury.
Sheffer was taken into custody by the Adult Parole Authority for an alleged supervision violation. Additional charges, including obstructing official business, are under review.
Sheriff Rodney Smith said deputies remain committed to working with law enforcement partners to locate individuals attempting to evade arrest.
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