For Immediate Release

Warren, OH - The Violence and Gun Reduction and Interdiction Program (V-GRIP) that brought together federal, state and local officers to combat violence over the summer has yielded another arrest. Jimmy Stella, age 31, of Warren had been stopped by an Ohio State Patrol Trooper during Operation V-GRIP and was found to be in possession of suspected crack cocaine. The suspected drugs were submitted to the lab for testing, and when the lab results confirmed the presence of cocaine a warrant was issued for Stella’s arrest.

Yesterday, at approximately 4:30 p.m., members of the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force located Stella at a residence on 7th St. S.W. in Warren Township and arrested him on the warrant. Information obtained during the arrest led officers to call the Trumbull Ashtabula Group (TAG) Drug Task Force for assistance. TAG investigators were able to obtain a search warrant for the residence and executed the warrant later in the evening. Items recovered during the search included 5 assault rifles, 2 handguns, numerous rounds of ammunition, a ballistic vest, $2,000 in currency, along with a small amount of suspected marijuana and cocaine.

Stella was booked in to the Trumbull County Jail on his warrant for drug possession. The investigation regarding the items seized during the search is continuing and investigators will present their case to the Warren City Prosecutor once that investigation is complete.

This arrest highlights the continued success of V-GRIP and the benefits of continued cooperation between the law enforcement agencies in Trumbull County.

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “This is a great example of how even a short term operation can produce long term results within a community. I applaud the efforts by all involved and give credit to the great partnerships that we have built with our law enforcement partners in the area.”

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of a known fugitive is encouraged to contact the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at: 1-866-4-WANTED. Callers may remain anonymous and reward money is available.

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force in the greater Warren/Youngstown area is composed of the following federal, state and local agencies: Boardman Township Police Department, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office, Dalton Village Police Department, East Liverpool Police Department, Girard Police Department, Goshen Township Police Department, Howland Township Police Department, Hubbard Township Police Department, Liberty Township Police Department, Lisbon Police Department, Lordstown Police Department, McDonald Police Department, Newton Falls Police Department, Niles Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, Salem Police Department, Trumbull County Probation Office, Trumbull County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Probation and Parole, Warren Municipal Courts, Warren Police Department, Washingtonville Police Department, Weathersfield Township Police Department, and the Youngstown Police Department.

Additional information about the U.S. Marshals can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov.

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