On July 28, 2023, law enforcement officers from the Marion Special Response Team, Marion City Police Department and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant obtained through Judge Teresa Ballinger for a residence in the 200 block of South High Street in the city of Marion after an investigation by detectives from the MARMET Drug Task Force.
Detectives seized approximately 141 grams of cocaine, 263 Ecstasy Pills, 47 Oxycodone pills, a stolen fireman and $3000 cash.
Cherell McDuffie (age 36) of Marion, Ohio was arrested as a result of this investigation. McDuffie was arrested on an unrelated warrant out for his arrest for felonious assault, along with Trafficking in Drugs and Weapons Under Disability. This case will be forwarded to Marion County Prosecutor Ray Grogan for the filing of formal charges.
“I am proud of the work of our investigators in this case. Mr. McDuffie was wanted for a violent crime and also involved in drug trafficking. He illegally possessed a firearm. Our community is safer with him off our streets” said Marion Police Chief Jay McDonald.
Marion County Sheriff Matt Bayles said, “We recently removed 31 drug traffickers from the streets of Marion. MARMET is not slowing down and is forging ahead. The arrest of another violent drug dealer in this case shows if you want to sell drugs in Marion County, we are going to seek you out and we are going to put you behind bars”.
The MARMET Drug Task Force is made up of members of the Marion City Police Department, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and the Marion County Prosecutors Office.
Marion County citizens are encouraged to call in crime tips involving criminal activity to 740-375-TIPS (8477) or online at https://mariontips.org. Tipsters may remain anonymous if they choose.