BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio — Property ownership records identify former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Energy Robert H. “Bob” Gentile as the owner of the Belmont County residence where investigators say they discovered an alleged cocaine manufacturing operation earlier this month.
The Belmont County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant on June 11 at a home on Uniontown-Flushing Road near Flushing following what Sheriff James G. Zusack described as a lengthy investigation into suspected drug activity.
During the search, detectives reported locating a significant amount of suspected cocaine along with multiple areas believed to have been used to manufacture illegal drugs. Three individuals were taken into custody at the scene.
Those arrested include:
- Kody Vinka, 35, of Bellaire
- Lewis Dunn, 37, of Flushing
- Stacy Brown-Jaworski, 43, of St. Clairsville
According to the sheriff’s office, all three face multiple felony charges, including manufacturing or preparing a controlled substance, possession of drugs, and possession of drug abuse instruments.
County property records list Gentile, 82, as the owner of the Uniontown-Flushing Road property. Court records also list defendant Lewis Dunn as residing at the address.
Gentile served as Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy with the U.S. Department of Energy during the administration of former President George W. Bush.
At this time, Gentile has not been charged with any offense related to the Belmont County investigation, and law enforcement has not publicly accused him of participating in the alleged drug operation.
Authorities have also not confirmed whether Gentile was present when deputies carried out the June 11 search warrant.
Meanwhile, Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is scheduled to attend a fundraising event Saturday at Dutton Ranch, hosted by Gentile’s sister, Rita Dutton. The ranch is located approximately 1.7 miles from the home searched by investigators. There has been no indication from law enforcement that the fundraiser, its organizers, or those attending have any connection to the ongoing criminal investigation.
The Belmont County Sheriff’s Office has not announced any additional arrests or charges stemming from the case, which remains pending in Belmont County Common Pleas Court.
