ANGOLA - A rural Angola man was arrested early Wednesday, September 20 morning on multiple drug charges.

Just after 5 a.m., the Steuben County Sheriff's Special Response Tactical Team with the assistance of the Auburn Police Emergency Response Tactical Team executed a search warrant on a residential property in the 1100 block of South CR 430 W in Steuben County's rural Pleasant Township.

The search warrant was in connection with a joint drug trafficking investigation conducted by the Sheriff's Office and the Auburn Police Department.

Upon entering the property, several individuals were encountered and detained without incident.

During the search of the property and the occupants, a large amount of suspected Methamphetamine and suspected Marijuana were located along with a large amount of U.S. currency.

Also located inside the residence were items of suspected drug paraphernalia.
Following the execution of the search warrant, one suspect was taken into custody at the residence.

He was identified as Thomas Wesley Hovis Jr., 66, of rural Angola.

All other detained occupants were released at the scene.

Hovis was booked into the Steuben County Jail on the following preliminary criminal charges:
3 counts of level 2 felony dealing Methamphetamine 1 count of level 6 felony dealing Marijuana 1 count of class C misdemeanor possess of paraphernalia

He remains held in lieu of a $53,500 bond. The investigation is ongoing and additional suspects and criminal charges may be sought.

Assisting the Steuben County Sheriff's Department and Auburn Police were the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office and the Angola Police Department.

Information provided by the Steuben County Sheriff's Office