News Release
METRICH Enforcement Unit
30 North Diamond Street
Mansfield, Ohio 44902
Chief Jason Bammann
Project Director
For Immediate Release No # 2 Date: 2/27/2025
Contact: Lt. Steve Blust
(419) 755-9677 Fax: (419) 522-7546
Subject: Drug Investigation/Search Warrant/Arrest
On February 27, 2025, METRICH detectives with the assistance of Richland County
ASORT and the Mansfield Police Department, executed a drug related search warrant
at 177 Vale Ave., Mansfield, Richland County, Ohio.The search warrant was
authorized by the Honorable Judge David Badnell of the Mansfield Municipal Court.
METRICH Detectives conducted a search of the residence and seized 36 grams of
suspected Cocaine, $3,255.00 in US currency, a Pardus 12 gauge shotgun, Glock 17
9mm handgun, KelTec 9mm rifle and other drug related evidence.
During the course of the investigation leading up to the search warrant, 470 grams of
Methamphetamine was seized by METRICH Detectives.
Dekota Thompson was incarcerated on charges of Trafficking in Methamphetamine (F-
1), Trafficking in Cocaine (F-1), Possession of Cocaine (F-1) and Trafficking in Cocaine
(F-4). Further Drug & Weapon related charges will be forwarded to the Richland
County Prosecutor’s Office.
The METRICH Enforcement Unit will continue to target those bringing and distributing
illegal drugs within our community and encourage citizens to continue to report
suspected drug activity.
Citizens can call the METRICH Crime Tip Hotline at 419-52-CRIME (419-522-7463) or
the Task Force line at 419-755-9728 or by using the METRICH app.
METRICH is a ten county decentralized task force in North Central Ohio whose mission is to improve the
quality of life for the citizens we serve by reducing the availability of illegal drugs and weapons through
proactive enforcement efforts. The success of METRICH is a tribute to the cooperation and support
within the Law Enforcement Community in the METRICH region and to those citizens who have chosen
to improve the quality of life in their communities by assisting METRICH in reporting suspicious activity
and valuable information.
