Toledo man accused of selling narcotics, 'ghost guns' after LCSO bust
Lewis County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested a Toledo man Tuesday after seizing dozens of "ghost guns" and dealer amounts of suspected cocaine, MDMA and other narcotics.
On Wednesday, prosecutors charged Justin M. Rogers, 25, with three counts of possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance and one count of untraceable firearm unlawful activity.
Rogers made a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court later that day.
Senior Deputy Prosecutor Paul Masiello requested a bail of $250,000 cash or bond, saying Rogers posed an "extreme danger" to the community. Masiello added that Rogers' lack of criminal history was irrelevant to the case.
Defense attorney Rachael Tiller asked for $25,000 in bail, arguing that Rogers' lack of history was indeed important to note. Tiller highlighted Rogers' "strong ties" to the community and said he had family present in the courtroom.
Judge Paul Strophy said he wasn't concerned about Rogers not returning to court, but said he did have concerns for community safety, citing the risks of homicide and overdose associated with the allegations. Strophy said the alleged gun production was also concerning.
The judge set bail at $50,000 cash or bond, in consideration of Rogers' lack of criminal history. As part of his release conditions, Rogers is prohibited from contacting any witnesses.
According to a probable cause affidavit, the Lewis County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) began investigating Rogers on June 23 after his ex-girlfriend's sister reported drug activity at a Toledo residence off Jackson Highway.
The woman reportedly showed the investigating deputy a photo of Rogers allegedly holding a MP5-style pistol, along with videos showing a gold scale with suspected MDMA and cocaine.
According to the affidavit, the deputy then got a statement from the ex-girlfriend, who said the drugs shown in the videos were Xanax, "molly" and cocaine. She said Rogers told her to record the videos "to advertise the drugs for him."
The witness said Rogers lived in a "tiny house" in the property's backyard, and that she'd seen him sell drugs over a dozen times.
According to the ex, Rogers' frequent spots to sell included his driveway, a couple Longview-area taverns and Gee Cee's Truck Stop in Toledo.
When asked about the photo of Rogers holding the gun, the witness reportedly said Rogers used a 3D printer to create and sell guns.
According to the affidavit, the witness told the deputy on June 30 that Rogers had stopped texting her. She said she'd learned a friend had alerted Rogers that she was talking to police.
The deputy secured a search warrant for the tiny home, the main house and Rogers' vehicles. That same day, the LCSO Sheriff's Enforcement Team searched the property.
According to an LCSO news release, deputies seized "approximately 73.71 grams of suspected cocaine, 78 grams of suspected MDMA, 52.58 grams of suspected psilocybin mushrooms, approximately 193 suspected Alprazolam (Xanax) pills, U.S. currency, and numerous items commonly associated with the distribution of narcotics, including digital scales, packaging materials, ledgers, and a currency counter."
Deputies also found 25 untraceable guns - including an AR-15 rifle - and 15 guns with serial numbers, along with "two 3D printers, a currency counter, a blue notebook ledger, and several cell phones," according to the affidavit.
The LCSO in its news release said the investigation was ongoing.
Rogers was scheduled for an arraignment on Thursday.
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This story was originally published July 2, 2026 at 11:28 AM.