Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
After returning to lead the Fort Gay Police Department in July, Chief Evan Wilson says the department is shifting from rebuilding to proactively tackling crime.
Wilson first took over the department earlier this year, but briefly left before returning to the position last month. He said one of his first priorities was stabilizing a department that had been left nearly vacant.
"When I initially came here as the chief of police, it was in a time where there was a transition from basically no police department," Wilson said. "We didn't have policy and procedure in place. At a point we didn't have vehicles to be able to go and patrol. We didn't have the staffing."
Now, Wilson says those foundational pieces are in place, allowing officers to focus on targeted operations and community partnerships.
Over the past several months, the department has conducted operations targeting narcotics trafficking while also partnering with organizations like Prestera's Mobile Crisis Unit to connect people experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges and substance use disorders with services.
Most recently, the department partnered with the nonprofit Veterans For Child Rescue for Operation Mountain Justice, a week-long child exploitation investigation.
According to Wilson, the operation targeted people who believed they were communicating online with a 14-year-old child before traveling to Wayne County.
The investigation resulted in two arrests and about 13 additional warrants are pending, according to Wilson.
Brandon Walls, of Lebanon, Virginia, and Hernandez J. Hermillo, of Logansport, Indiana, are each charged with soliciting a minor after police say they traveled to Wayne County believing they were meeting a 14-year-old child. Hermillo is also charged with resisting arrest.
Wilson said bringing in outside resources has become an important part of the department's strategy, especially in a rural community.
"You have a very remote location that's far away from the bigger cities that have more resources," Wilson said. "Criminals view it more as easy pickings. Sometimes we have to look beyond what is in our state or beyond our capabilities to be able to make those connections and do what we need to do for the betterment of our communities."
Beyond enforcement, Wilson said he hopes rebuilding the department also helps strengthen trust within the community.
"This has been an area that has deserved the love that it needs and the attention that it needs," Wilson said. "I'm just blessed and honored to be a part of that change."
Wilson said Operation Mountain Justice is one example of the department's new approach, with more proactive operations planned as Fort Gay police continue rebuilding and expanding their partnerships.
"My message would be that it doesn't matter what type of criminal activity someone's engaged in — it will not be tolerated in Fort Gay," Wilson said.
FULL STORY: wchstv.com/news/local/operation-mountain-justice
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After returning to lead the Fort Gay Police Department in July, Chief Evan Wilson says the department is shifting from rebuilding to proactively tackling crime.
Wilson first took over the department earlier this year, but briefly left before returning to the position last month. He said one of his first priorities was stabilizing a department that had been left nearly vacant.
"When I initially came here as the chief of police, it was in a time where there was a transition from basically no police department," Wilson said. "We didn't have policy and procedure in place. At a point we didn't have vehicles to be able to go and patrol. We didn't have the staffing."
Now, Wilson says those foundational pieces are in place, allowing officers to focus on targeted operations and community partnerships.
Over the past several months, the department has conducted operations targeting narcotics trafficking while also partnering with organizations like Prestera's Mobile Crisis Unit to connect people experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges and substance use disorders with services.
Most recently, the department partnered with the nonprofit Veterans For Child Rescue for Operation Mountain Justice, a week-long child exploitation investigation.
According to Wilson, the operation targeted people who believed they were communicating online with a 14-year-old child before traveling to Wayne County.
The investigation resulted in two arrests and about 13 additional warrants are pending, according to Wilson.
Brandon Walls, of Lebanon, Virginia, and Hernandez J. Hermillo, of Logansport, Indiana, are each charged with soliciting a minor after police say they traveled to Wayne County believing they were meeting a 14-year-old child. Hermillo is also charged with resisting arrest.
Wilson said bringing in outside resources has become an important part of the department's strategy, especially in a rural community.
"You have a very remote location that's far away from the bigger cities that have more resources," Wilson said. "Criminals view it more as easy pickings. Sometimes we have to look beyond what is in our state or beyond our capabilities to be able to make those connections and do what we need to do for the betterment of our communities."
Beyond enforcement, Wilson said he hopes rebuilding the department also helps strengthen trust within the community.
"This has been an area that has deserved the love that it needs and the attention that it needs," Wilson said. "I'm just blessed and honored to be a part of that change."
Wilson said Operation Mountain Justice is one example of the department's new approach, with more proactive operations planned as Fort Gay police continue rebuilding and expanding their partnerships.
"My message would be that it doesn't matter what type of criminal activity someone's engaged in — it will not be tolerated in Fort Gay," Wilson said.
FULL STORY: wchstv.com/news/local/operation-mountain-justice
_________________________________________
Follow WCHS on social media:
Facebook: facebook.com/eyewitnessnewscharleston
Twitter: twitter.com/wchs8fox11
Instagram: instagram.com/wchs8fox11
For the latest local and national news, visit our website: wchstv.com
Sign up for our newsletter: wchstv.com/sign-up
