S.E.A.R.

Southeastern Allied Response Team

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.” Theodore Roosevelt

Team members

Training Abroad

Internal Training

L.E.O.

Training Calendar

Team Events/Activations

"LET YOUR PLANS BE DARK AND AS IMPENETRATABLE

AS NIGHT, AND WHEN YOU MOVE, FALL LIKE A

THUNDERBOLT"

-SUN TZU, THE ART OF WAR

2006

September

Team Tryouts and board meeting

SEAR team traini

October

Drug Raid- Elm St. Cambridge- Details- Two live, full size, alligators were confiscated from the basement of the residence.

2007

January

High Risk Warrant- Bellaire- Raid nets narcotics, large amount of cash, assault rifles, bullet proof vests- suspects from New York arrested

Michael Broomes

Drug Raid Suspects In Court in Belmont County, Ohio

Home no stranger to drug busts.

BELLAIRE, Ohio -- Two of four people arrested in a drug raid 428 36th Street were in Eastern Division Court on Monday.

Alicia McGhee, 29, who lives in the home, is charged with drug trafficking cocaine and marijuana.

Michael C. Broomes, of Brooklyn, New York, faces three counts of drug trafficking.

Both counts have a school specification, because the house is in close proximity with several schools.

Another drug raid was made at the home last January and the people inside were the same.

Both McGhee and Broomes are being held. Bond was set for each at $50,000.

Also busted in the raid but not in court on Monday were James Broomes and Robert Hodge.

High Risk Warrant Service- North 6th St. Cambridge-service for trafficking in crack- suspects from Columbus

High Risk Warrant Service-Steubenville Ave. Cambridge- local suspect-trafficking in crack

Drug Raid- Wheeling Ave. Cambridge- local suspect-trafficking in crack

Larry Moore

Drug Raid- Beatty Ave. Cambridge -local suspect-trafficking in crack

Jeff Green

February

Drug Raid- JC Manor Apartments Martins Ferry- drug raid local suspects

Barricaded Suspect- South 11th St. Cambridge-Suspect surrendered without incident

Two new members attend Dayton P.D. SWAT Basic

March

Drug Raid- Bedford Ave. Cambridge- local suspect-trafficking in crack

High Risk Search Warrant Watson Ave. Cambridge- dangerous suspect wanted for burglary and breaking and entering

High Risk Search Warrant Watson Ave. Cambridge- crack house raid- The team was attacked by the suspect and his pitbull.

Michael Savone

Man Faces Multiple Charges

Officials charged a Cambridge man following a raid at a Cambridge home last Thursday before 7 a.m.

Michael Savone, 45, was charged with obstructing official police business, drug abuse and possession of drug paraphernalia. The filing of additional charges against was pending review by the Guernsey County prosecutor.

Agents of the Southeast Ohio Narcotics Task Force (SENT) and members of the Southeastern Allied Response team (SEAR) executed two search warrants simultaneously within a few blocks of each other in East Cambridge.

At the first home, Savone was taken into custody with a woman who was later released. As SEAR members entered, Savone allegedly leapt to his feet from a sofa and struggled with officers.

After he was restrained, Savone reportedly lunged again at officers, the report said, and his pit bull dog began to bite at several officers. Both Savone and the dog were restrained.

Officers received tips that a wanted felon had been frequently visiting the second home in the past few days. Information as recent as two days prior to the raid placed the subject at the home.

Entry was made, and a male and female located and detained. The wanted suspect was not located in the home, and the suspects were released. However, the prosecutor is reviewing the case to determine if any charges are to be filed.

SENT Agent Larry Abel said that agents Sam Williams and Tim Ferguson played key roles in ensuring the success of the raids.

Abel added that without the assistance of residents supplying tips, progress made against criminal in Cambridge would not be possible.

(ddavis@daily-jeff.com)

article from Dan Davis- reporter for the Daily Jeffersonian- Cambridge, Ohio

High Risk Search Warrant- Martins Ferry-The team raided a crack house and seized a pound of cocaine

Allan Trager

April

Team snipers attended and graduate from the FBI Advanced Sniper Course

Four members train at the OTOA Conference in less then lethal munitions, gas, advanced combat pistol, and K-9 deployment for SWAT.

Member trains to certify as a defensive tactics at OPOTA

Member trains to certify as an assault rifle and carbine instructor at OPOTA

May

Barricaded Suspect- South 12th St. Cambridge- team called off prior to deployment

Barricaded Suspect- Martins Ferry- suspect surrendered to authorities

June

Counter-Terrorism Exercise- Bellaire, Ohio- with the Belmont County Emergency Management Association

High Risk Warrant Service- Madison Ave. Cambridge-drug raid on a local crack house- drugs seized

Lester Steele

Arrest in Southside Drug Raid

A drug raid by the Southeast Ohio Narcotics Task Force (SENT) and Southeastern Allied Response Team (SEAR) in Cambridge Monday evening yielded marijuana, drug paraphernalia and more than 100 prescription pills, police said.

One man was arrested, police said.

SENT Agent Larry Abel said that after receiving numerous complaints from neighbors of a high volume of both vehicle and pedestrian traffic at 612 Orchard Ave., agents Tim Ferguson and Sam Williams were directed in early May to set up surveillance on the house on the city's South Side. Their work, and the concerns of the citizens, was critical to the success of the raid, Abel said.

"I credit the involvement of the community and the efforts of Ferguson and Williams," Abel said. "I also thank the SEAR team. SENT will continue in its ongoing efforts to chip away at the drug problem here, and I encourage anyone to report suspected drug activity in their neighborhoods. We realize it's frustrating to people because it appears to be a growing problem in their neighborhoods. But we will work diligently and quickly to solve the problem of drug users in their neighborhoods."

The findings of Williams and Ferguson were presented to Guernsey County Prosecutor Dan Padden, who issued a search warrant. Municipal Court Judge John Mark Nicholson signed the warrant.

At 7:20 p.m. Monday, SENT drug agents and SEAR regional Special Weapons and Tactics team members executed the warrant. Nine subjects in the house were detained, seven being located in the living room where illegal drug use was reportedly under way.

Misdemeanor charges of drug abuse, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a dangerous drug were filed against a 19-year-old resident of the home. He may face felony charges, pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation, police said.

During the raid, the arm of a SEAR member from Martins Ferry was lacerated by falling glass. He was transported to Southeastern Med after receiving initial treatment at the scene by SEAR members.

The raid was the latest in a a large-scale operation to combat drugs in both Cambridge and the region of the state served by SENT and SEAR. The team has seized pound-level cocaine, crack, prescription pills, illegal firearms, ballistic vests and bulk-level marijuana during these raids. The team arrested 366 suspects, and seized houses, vehicles and other property.

In the first seven months of its existence, SEAR was activated 12 times for high risk warrant executions and three times for barricaded suspects.

Member agencies include the police departments of Cambridge, Martins Ferry, Bellaire and Bridgeport.

story by Dan Davis- The Daily Jeffersonian- Cambridge, Ohio

Barricaded Suspect- Lakeside Apartments Cambridge- suspect surrendered after speaking with hostage negotiators

Martin Kiggans

Swat Team Summoned, local man arrested

A Cambridge man surrendered to city police early Monday morning following a standoff that began late Sunday.

Martin W. Kiggans, 42, was charged with aggravated menacing and obstructing official police business, and arrested on a warrant from Tuscarawas County for a probation violation. He remained in jail Monday morning.

According to reports, about 11:30 p.m. Sunday a woman said she was sitting in an automobile outside 620 Lakeside Drive when Kiggans began to yell and curse at her.

The woman said he came out of the building, apparently to apologize to her, but instead continued to yell and curse at her. As he turned to return inside, he allegedly claimed he possessed a 9mm handgun and five ammunition clips, and would shoot both her and anyone who approached him.

The woman told police that she was willing to file charges against Kiggans. A warrant was obtained from Guernsey County Prosecutor Dan Padden and signed by Municipal Court Judge John Mark Nicholson.

City police officer Lt. Karl Milam ordered the activation of the regional Special Weapons and Tactics team, the Southeastern Allied Response Team (SEAR). While the team was assembling, officers evacuated the apartment building.

Though previous attempts to contact Kiggans in his apartment were unsuccessful, police said, the on-scene negotiator was able to convince him that surrendering to authorities would be in his best interest. He reportedly did so, and was arrested.

A sweep of the apartment revealed that he was the sole occupant. Officers cleared the scene shortly after 2 a.m. Monday.

article by Dan Davis, Daily Jeffersonian- Cambridge, Ohio

High Risk Warrant Service- South 11th St. Cambridge- drug raid on a local crack house, drugs seized

James Keeton

July

Sear Team Annual Training Camp- Kipling, Ohio

August

High Risk Search Warrant- Martins Ferry- investigation pending- no details released

November

Activated for support on a potentially barricaded and armed suspect- adjacent jurisdiction- Bellaire Area- suspect later turned himself in to authorities

High Risk Search and Arrest Warrant- Gaston Ave. Cambridge - 46 year old male for trafficking in crack cocaine

Roger Linsicome

High Risk Arrest Warrant- Gaston Ave. Cambridge - Artodan Rash- Columbus, with gang affiliations- arrested in possession of 16 grams of crack, substantial amount of cash, + prescription pills and drug paraphernalia at residence. A Parole violator at large was arrested on scene along with another male for a separate count of possession of crack. Two females taken into custody for questioning. Suspects face potential federal charges through bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms

Artadon Jona Rash 6’3 269- Short North Posse- Columbus

Local authorities assist in arrests

By LINDA L. HULL, Times Leader Staff Writer

POSTED: November 29, 2007

MARTINS FERRY, Bridgeport, Bellaire and Cambridge Police officers, all members of the Southeastern Allied Response Team found crack cocaine that was allegedly dyed blue to tag it with gang colors.

The officers served two high-risk warrants in Cambridge Wednesday night, making a forcible entry and taking away Artadon “Mastodan” Rash, 27, of Columbus; Travis Heskett, 26, of Cambridge; Bernard Yeater , 46, Cambridge; Roger Lincicome, 45; Carol Tilton, 45; and another female whose name is being withheld.

Rash had approximately 18 grams of crack cocaine and a substantial amount of money on his person when arrested.

SENT agents have coordinated with the ATF during this investigation due to weapons violations Rash is suspected of committing. He is believed to be a member of Columbus’ Short North Posse, a CRIP gang affiliate.

Rush was allegedly armed with a Tec-9 submachine gun and was believed to be extremely dangerous.

Cambridge has long been an area for weapons and crack smuggling due to its prime location on I-77 and I-70.

Martins Ferry Police Chief Barry Carpenter said, “Agents have arrested multiple gang members from Columbus, New York and Pittsburgh over the years for federal weapons violations and large scale crack sales.” He added, “These raids brought the number of activations to 18 for the SEAR Team since its inception last October. The team has seized thousands of dollars in crack cocaine, weapons, ballistic vests, and arrested multiple violent gang members and several dangerous criminals. Many are from large surrounding major cities such as Columbus, Pittsburgh and the Akron-Canton area. They are believed to have established a drug pipeline along Interstate 70 and Interstate 77 through Cambridge to the Ohio Valley.