U.S. Attorney Moore Capito Commends Law Enforcement Partners After 59 Arrested During “Operation Coal Country”

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - United States Attorney Moore Capito joined with U.S. Marshal Jack Chambers, West Virginia State Police Colonel James Mitchell, and other law enforcement partners today to announce the success of "Operation Coal Country." The multi-week enforcement initiative targeted noncompliant sex offenders, individuals wanted for sex crimes, violent fugitives, and other wanted individuals throughout the Southern District of West Virginia.

The 59 individuals arrested during the operation, which began August 13, 2026, and concluded last week, include 16 convicted sex offenders wanted on registration violations and 10 individuals charged with new sex offenses. The West Virginia State Police conducted over 380 compliance checks of registered sex offenders as part of Operation Coal Country.

"Each arrest resulting from these targeted enforcement operations protects our communities and makes them safer," said United States Attorney Moore Capito. "The success of this operation continues the momentum we've created through dedicated, collaborative, and aggressive efforts with our law enforcement partners."

Those arrested during Operation Coal Country include Clinton G. McNeely, 31, of Lyburn. A federal grand jury indicted McNeely on August 18, 2026, on three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, two counts of receipt or attempted receipt of child pornography, one count of possession of child pornography, and one count of production of obscene material. McNeely was arrested on August 20, 2026. An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Two convicted sex offenders were indicted as part of Operation Coal Country after allegedly violating the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). Part of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006, SORNA provides a comprehensive set of minimum standards for sex offender registration and notification in the United States. SORNA seeks to strengthen the nationwide network of sex offender registration and notification programs, in part by requiring registered sex offenders to register and keep their registration current in each jurisdiction in which they reside, work, or go to school.

Among the other individuals arrested during Operation Coal Country, five face federal drug charges, three allegedly violated federal supervised release, and two allegedly violated terms of their federal pretrial release.

Operation Coal Country focused heavily on sex offender compliance and fugitive apprehension throughout the West Virginia State Police Troop 5 area of Boone, Cabell, Lincoln, Logan, Mingo, and Wayne counties. Several of those arrested face charges in additional counties within the Southern District of West Virginia. Those arrested also include a fugitive wanted for murder in Florida who was captured in Dunbar, and a suspect in the sexual abuse of a female juvenile family member in Parkersburg who was arrested in Arizona. Participating law enforcement also found a missing child after an alleged parental abduction in Wood County.

The operation brought together federal, state, and local law enforcement resources in a coordinated effort to locate and apprehend fugitives while also conducting enforcement activities involving registered sex offenders. Investigators worked to identify registered sex offenders who were not complying with state and federal registration requirements and to locate individuals wanted for crimes involving sexual offenses.

Officers also seized 75.1 grams of fentanyl, 1.54 kilograms of methamphetamine, 33.3 grams of cocaine, approximately $6,000, one firearm, and assorted ammunition.

"The success of Operation Coal Country demonstrates what can be accomplished when federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies combine their resources toward a common mission," said U.S. Marshal Jack Chambers. "Fifty-nine arrests over the course of this operation means 59 wanted individuals were located and taken into custody. More importantly, this operation placed a significant emphasis on protecting our communities from individuals who have committed sex offenses or failed to comply with their registration requirements. The U.S. Marshals Service and West Virginia State Police will continue working together to investigate noncompliant sex offenders and apprehend dangerous fugitives throughout southern West Virginia."

"When law enforcement works together, criminals have fewer places to hide," said Colonel James Mitchell, superintendent of the West Virginia State Police. "Operation Coal Country shows the power of a coordinated, proactive approach to protecting our communities and holding offenders accountable. The West Virginia State Police is proud to stand with the U.S. Marshals Service and our law enforcement partners in doing everything we can to keep the people of West Virginia safe."

The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Southern District of West Virginia Cops United Felony Fugitive Enforcement Division (CUFFED) Task Force and the West Virginia State Police (WVSP) led Operation Coal Country in partnership with numerous other law enforcement organizations:

• U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)
• WVSP Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force
• WVSP Sex Offender Registry
• West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Parole Services
• Fayette County Sheriff's Office
• Jackson County Sheriff's Office
• Kanawha County Sheriff's Office
• Logan County Sheriff's Office
• Mercer County Sheriff's Office
• Putnam County Sheriff's Office
• Raleigh County Sheriff's Office
• Barboursville Police Department
• Beckley Police Department
• Fayetteville Police Department
• Huntington Police Department
• Kenova Police Department
• Lewisburg Police Department
• Parkersburg Police Department
• Princeton Police Department
• St. Albans Police Department
• South Charleston Police Department
• USMS Florida/Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force
• USMS Arizona WANTED Violent Offender Task Force

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.

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