Alleged gang member arrested in Butler County

One person with alleged ties to a gang was charged Friday night after he was found to have drug paraphernalia inside a Monroe hotel, the Butler County Sheriff’s Office said.

William Bragg II, 26, of Dayton, was charged with two counts of possession of drugs, both felonies, and Echo Seward, 27, of Fairfield, was arrested on a parole violation, said Sgt. Mike Hackney from the BCSO. More charges are expected to be added at the Butler County Grand Jury, he said.

MORE: Get Butler County crime news in one place

Bragg is expected to have his video arraignment Tuesday morning in Area II Court in Hamilton, according to documents.

Agents with BURN (Butler County Undercover Regional Narcotics) Taskforce received information that a subject who has ties with the MS13 gang was trafficking drugs in Butler County, Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones said. The information led to a traffic stop in Monroe, where Bragg II and Seward had two ounces of heroin and two ounces of methamphetamine, Hackney said.

A search warrant was conducted Friday at their temporary residence, the Best Western, 40 New Garver Road, Monroe, where agents confiscated approximately $4,000 in cash, drug paraphernalia and gang paraphernalia, the report said.

MORE: Franklin strip club’s liquor permit faces challenge

Hackney said officers found some Dallas Cowboys apparel and blue clothing, which signify the MS13 gang, he said. Hackney said gangs sometimes are represented by sports teams and their colors. He said the MS13 gang, which originated in Los Angeles, heavily recruits for members throughout the U.S. Hackney was unsure how many gang members live in the Butler County region.

“This is in our backyard, and I don’t want it here,” Jones said in a press release. “It is not OK to set up camp and traffic drugs in this county or bring gangs and the violence that follows.”

SEE: Butler County Jail mugshots

He said the tip led to “a quick arrest and apprehension.”

He said the BURN taskforce is working with police agencies in Hamilton and Middletown. The arrests will continue, Jones said.

“Tell your friends and family if they bring drugs or gang affiliations here, we will put them behind bars,” he said.

Tips may be submitted anonymously by texting “COPS” to 274637.

About the Author