On Thursday, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department’s Street Crime and Drug Unit (SCAD) in cooperation with the West Virginia State Parole Office arrested Andre T. Watkins and Gerald A. Syslo for parole violations and drug charges.

 

Thursday afternoon State Parole officers were performing a “home check” on Watkins at his residence in Summit Park.  While in the residence Parole Officers observed heroin, packaging materials, and large sums of cash in Watkins’ bedroom.  State Parole Officers then requested the Harrison County SCAD Unit respond to the scene.  After speaking with Parole Officers on scene, SCAD Deputies obtained a search warrant for Watkins’ residence.

 

Once inside the residence, while executing the search warrant, a SCAD Deputy and State Parole Officer located Gerald Syslo hiding in a cardboard box inside a closet. Syslo was on parole too and had an outstanding warrant for his arrest for parole violations.  He was taken into custody on those warrants.

 

As a result of the execution of the search warrant, SCAD Deputies located five stamps of heroin, a plastic bag containing raw heroin, crystal methamphetamine packaged for resale, packaging materials and weighing scales.  In addition SCAD members located $4,791.00 in cash hidden under Watkins mattress. Watkins was taken into custody for parole violations and drug charges.

 

Watkins is 26-years-old and resides in Summit Park. Watkins was charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and parole violations.

 

Syslo is 22-years-old and was staying with Watkins at the time of his arrest.  Syslo was charged with parole violations.

 

All charges in this case are felony charges.  Both Watkins and Syslo were transported to the North Central Regional Jail to await arraignment before a Harrison County Magistrate.

 

 “This case would not have been possible without the cooperation that exists between the Harrison County SCAD Unit and the West Virginia State Parole Office,” said Chief Deputy Jeff McAtee. “It’s cooperation like this that allows the SCAD Unit to effectively combat Harrison County’s drug problems”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Andre T. Watkins. Second photo shows Gerald A. Syslo. Bottom photo shows the items allegedly found inside the household of Watkins by the SCAD unit on Thursday. Photos are courtesy of the Harrison County Sheriff's Department.