U.S. Marshals, WV State Police Announce Results of Operation Spring Sweep

Charleston, WV - The U.S. Marshals Southern District of West Virginia CUFFED Task Force, in partnership with the West Virginia State Police (WVSP), have completed a nearly month-long operation targeting noncompliant sex offenders, individuals wanted for sex crimes, and violent fugitives in Kanawha County and Putnam County, as well as surrounding areas. 

Operation Spring Sweep began March 9 and concluded on April 4. During the operation 72 arrests were made, 19 of which were sex offenders who failed to register, and 12 other arrests were for  sex crimes. Two missing children were also recovered.

The WVSP conducted 222 sex offender compliance checks. From those, 18 were found to be  out of compliance. Arrest warrants were obtained for those out of compliance.

Notable arrests include:

Gary Lee Blevins, 44, of Huntington, was arrested March 9 in Fort Worth, Texas, by U.S. Marshals  on a warrant out of Cabell County, for sexual assault in the first degree and sexual abuse. The charges  stem from allegations that occurred between 2022 and 2023, when the victim was 6 years old.

Thomas Yancy, 36, of Huntington, was arrested March 11 for sexual abuse of a 13-year-old female.  Yancy was arrested in New Lexington, Ohio, by U.S. Marshals after fleeing West Virginia. 

Other arrests are for various offenses including possession with intent to deliver controlled substances, child neglect, wanton endangerment with a firearm, parole violations, and federal probation  violations.

Law Enforcement also made the following seizures:

    •    8 Firearms
    •    Approximately 50 pounds of marijuana 
    •    450 THC vape pens
    •    Approximately $36,481 in U.S. currency
    •    488.29 grams of fentanyl
    •    114.36 grams of methamphetamine
    •    43 assorted prescription pills

The U.S. Marshals Service also found seven noncompliant sex offenders to possibly be in violation of the Adam Walsh Act. Federal criminal investigations were opened on those seven sex offenders.

During the Operation, two sex offenders, Paul Charles Clement, 43, of Hillsboro, and James Mansfield Davis, 69, of Morgantown, were sentenced in United States District Court to terms of imprisonment for violations of the Adam Walsh Act. 

If anyone knows the whereabouts of any noncompliant sex offender, you can submit a tip anonymously using USMS Tips or call 1-877-WANTED-2 or call the West Virginia State Police. Tips are kept confidential.

Agencies involved in the operation included:

USMS CUFFED Task Force
USMS Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (SOFAST)
United States Attorney’s Office
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)
West Virginia State Police
West Virginia State Police Sex Offender Registry
West Virginia State Police, Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC)
West Virginia Department of Correction & Rehabilitation (Parole Services) 
Cabell County Prosecutors Office
Cabell County Sheriff’s Office 
Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office
Fayette County Sheriff’s Office
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office
Logan County Sheriff’s Office 
Mercer County Sheriff’s Office
Mingo County Sheriff’s Office
Putnam County Sheriff’s Office
Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office
Dunbar Police Department 
Kenova Police Department
Beckley Police Department 
Huntington Police Department 
Lewisburg Police Department 
Parkersburg Police Department
Princeton Police Department 
Saint Albans Police Department
South Charleston Police Department