News
Glouster Drug Ring Leader Arraigned For 2nd Time
By: Susan Tebben | The Athens Messenger
Posted on:
A Glouster man charged with his alleged leadership of a drug ring was arraigned on additional charges in Athens County Common Pleas Court on Monday.
Derek Gyure, 26, pleaded not guilty to 16 charges included in a superseding indictment filed against him on July 10.
Gyure was charged with five counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs, two counts each of possessing criminal tools and tampering with evidence, and one count each of aggravated possession of drugs, tampering with evidence, having weapons while under disability, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, money laundering, illegal cultivation of marijuana, endangering children and intimidation of an attorney, victim or witness.
The original indictment filed May 6 charged five counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs, one count of aggravated possession of drugs, one count of tampering with evidence, one count of having weapons while under disability, one count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and one count of possessing criminal tools.
All charges came after a drug roundup was conducted jointly by the Athens County Sheriff's Office, the Athens Police Department, the Ohio University Police Department, the Athens County Prosecutor's Office and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
During the arraignment held Monday, Gyure waived formal reading of his indictment and waived his right to a speedy trial. His bond was kept at the initial $1 million. He remains incarcerated at the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail.
Another alleged member of the ring was served with a superseding indictment at the same time as Gyure. Kendra Sharrer, 22, also of Glouster, was charged with one count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, one count of aggravated possession of drugs and one count of tampering with evidence on top of the original counts of aggravated possession of drugs, tampering with evidence and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.
Of the five in the alleged drug ring who were charged with engaging in corrupt activity, two have entered into plea agreements with the prosecution.
John Casey Metcalf was sentenced to eight years in prison and Bert C. Sharrer was sentenced to 10 years in prison after accepting plea deals that required them to testify truthfully.
Bert Sharrer, Jr., was also charged in the case, but has not had further charges leveled against him, nor has he agreed to any plea deals. A court hearing is scheduled for Tuesday for his case.
Kendra Sharrer is scheduled for a jury trial in September.