MEIGS COUNTY — An investigation into possible federal crop insurance fraud in Meigs County is currently taking place according the the United States Attorney’s Office in Columbus.
The United States Department of Agriculture executed a search warrant in an ongoing investigation on Tuesday afternoon at the Hot Spot gas station located just off of U.S. 33 near Portland, Ohio.
The business is co-owned by Christopher Wolfe and Terry McNickle. Wolfe’s home was also reportedly searched. A listing for Wolfe states the address as Blind Hollow Road.
Fred Alverson of the United States Attorney’s Office in Columbus said that the affidavits for the search warrant were reviewed by a federal magistrate and sealed by the court.
A representative with the United States District Court in Columbus said that no information as to search warrants or the affidavits for the search warrants could be provided and that those documents had been sealed.
Alverson added that if criminal conduct is uncovered then the information would be presented before a federal grand jury for possible indictment.
Local residents reported that that the business was closed on Tuesday afternoon with law enforcement present at the scene.
Documents were reportedly seized in the search.
No arrests have been made, and no charges have been filed.
The investigation will continue to determine if there was any wrongdoing, and if so, over what period of time and in what amount.
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