HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – An Akron, Ohio man is in federal custody in connection with a rash of heroin overdoses earlier this month in Huntington, United States Attorney Carol A. Casto and Huntington Chief of Police Joe Ciccarelli announced today. Bruce Lamar Griggs, 22, was arrested in Ohio and is being held on the basis of a federal criminal complaint filed in the Southern District of West Virginia, which charges Griggs with distribution of heroin.
According to an affidavit submitted in support of the criminal complaint by Huntington Police Department (“HPD”) Sgt. Paul Hunter, the investigation of Griggs began August 15, 2016, when the HPD responded to a large number of heroin overdoses in a short period of time in the area of St. Louis Avenue and Marcum Terrace. The affidavit states that one of the overdose victims identified the seller of the heroin as Griggs and that numerous others provided corroborating information linking the heroin to Griggs. The affidavit also states that surveillance video shows a person matching Griggs’ description engaging in activity indicative of hand-to-hand drug distribution in the Marcum Terrace area shortly before the overdoses began. A copy of the complaint and a redacted version of the affidavit, which are publicly available, are attached to this release.
Griggs was arrested by officers of the Tallmadge, Ohio police department and made an initial appearance yesterday before a United States magistrate judge in the Northern District of Ohio. He will be transported back to West Virginia to face the criminal charge against him.
The case is being investigated by the HPD and the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force.
NOTE: The criminal complaint in this case is only an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court proceeding.
