JELLOWAY — The Knox County Sheriff’s Office boarded up the house at 21278 Wooster Road on Monday after the county prosecutor’s office filed an ex parte injunction to have it declared a nuisance property.
The premises has been the subject of an ongoing investigation by the KCSO and Danville Police Department for illegal drug activity.
“There have been reports of drug trafficking, and multiple arrest warrants have been executed there,” Assistant County Prosecutor Nicole Derr said. “It has been an ongoing nuisance for years.”
According to 911 data, law enforcement has been to the residence 20 times between January 1, 2021, and March 17. 2023.
The injunction was filed on March 17 with the Knox County Common Pleas Court. Derr said the complaint was based on two counts:
•That the homeowner is permitting drug abuse and allowing the property to be used in a felony
•That the house is a habitual resort for thieves, robbers, or burglars or for persons who have committed or are planning to commit or are fleeing or hiding after having committed or planned to commit felonious conduct
On March 15, the KCSO Tactical Response Unit executed a search warrant at the residence. The KCSO seized methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia and took the owner, 66-year-old John Welch, into custody on a probation violation through Mount Vernon Municipal Court.
The Mount Vernon Police Emergency Services Unit, Mount Vernon Municipal Court Probation, Danville Police Department and the Knox County dog warden provided assistance during the search.
A hearing is set for Friday at 9 am. Derr said that at the hearing, Common Pleas Judge Richard Wetzel will decide whether there is enough evidence to keep the owner permanently out of the house.
