Two 17-year-old juveniles were present during and witnessed the sale of the crack cocaine. Mincks says that during the search officers recovered "buy money" utilized in the purchase along with numerous pills, a crack pipe, which tested positive for the drug, and a small amount of marijuana.  

 

Officers arrested Kenneth Stephens, 25, of Parkersburg, for third-degree felony trafficking in crack cocaine in an amount greater than five grams, in the presence of a juvenile. Mincks says Stephens has previous arrests for felony theft and domestic violence.  

 

Keri Ann LaFatch, age 34, 705 Elm Street, was arrested on fifth-degree felony counts of possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia. She will also be held on an outstanding drug warrant from Athens County. Mincks says LaFatch has previous arrests for drug possession, theft, bad checks, fleeing-and-eluding and contempt of court.

 

Both were transported to the Washington County Jail, where they await an appearance in Marietta Municipal Court. Mincks says additional charges will be filed concerning the pills after they are identified and tested.