Warrant Division

The Warrant Division of the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for arresting individuals who have outstanding warrants issued by the courts.  While this is a responsibility of every sworn member of the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, such as Road Patrol or Area Commanders, this is our sole task.  We accomplish this by making daily arrests, conducting monthly Warrant Sweeps throughout Kanawha County, working with the United States Marshal Service, and participating with local television station, WCHS, in conducting the Fugitive Files broadcast.

In January of 2005, we had approximately 12,000 outstanding warrants in our files.  Through efforts of our dedicated officers, we now only have a daily average of 650-700 warrants on hand.  This includes Circuit and Family Court Capias’, Magistrate Court warrants and Worthless Check warrants.

Each month we conduct a Warrant Sweep utilizing 10-15 deputies.  The Warrant Sweeps are performed in the entire county or sometimes in specific areas of the county.  Some of the Warrant Sweeps are specific in the nature of the crime such as Domestic Violence, Felony Warrants, or a combination of Felony and Misdemeanor Warrants. Specific areas of the county will be targeted that have recent high volume of calls for service or areas that contain a high concentration of outstanding warrants.  This takes wanted criminals off of the streets and maintains a visible police presence in high crime areas.

A member of the Warrant Division is currently assigned to the United States Marshal’s Violent Offender Task Force.  This partnership with the USMS and the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office provides a greater ability for both agencies to serve the citizens of Kanawha County by actively arresting the most violent offenders in our community.

Another assignment of the Warrant Division is working with Charleston television station WCHS in providing images and information of wanted criminals to be profiled on the Fugitive Files.  This is part of the Tuesday evening news broadcast and requests the help of the public in locating the wanted criminals. Anyone can call and give information on the individuals sought after and can remain anonymous.  This collaboration has been a great success and has assisted in arresting hundreds of wanted criminals.  Please visit the WCHS Fugitive Files website for more information.