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Five To Be Tried Separately In ‘Biggest’ Athens County Drug Bust
By: Susan Tebben | The Athens Messenger
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Five people charged in connection with an oxycodone bust – called the largest in the area by the county prosecutor – will all face separate cases in Athens County Common Pleas court, according to a judge’s ruling.
Derek Gyure, John Casey Metcalf, Kendra Sharrer, Bert C. Sharrer and Bert Sharrer Jr. were arrested and charged with engaging in corrupt activities during a multi-jurisdictional drug bust that occurred May 12.
The investigation involved oxycodone pills that were allegedly brought to Athens County from Columbus and Detroit. Gyure was named by Athens County Prosecutor Keller Blackburn as the chief supplier of the drugs.
Marijuana, heroin and cocaine were also involved in the crimes, according to previous Messenger reporting.
Blackburn filed a motion for “joinder,” which is a request to join together the cases of Gyure, Metcalf and the Sharrers.
“All evidence presented at trial is admissible against both defendants and not unduly prejudicial against the other,” Blackburn wrote in his motion to Athens County Judge L. Alan Goldsberry.
Only one attorney in the group of alleged offenders has responded to the motion. James Wallace, attorney for Bert Sharrer Jr., said the prosecution had not provided discovery in the case.
“Counsel for (Sharrer, Jr.) is therefore unable to evaluate the bland assurances in the state’s motion…” Wallace wrote.
Goldsberry said Wallace’s argument was “viable” while defense attorneys were still awaiting discovery.
“Therefore, no order of joinder will be issued at this time,” Goldsberry wrote in his ruling last week.