A Cincinnati man arrested in a major Portsmouth drug bust is no stranger to serious criminal charges. In fact, the suspect, now accused of trafficking fentanyl and crack cocaine, once faced a murder charge in Hamilton County.
The Southern Ohio Drug Task Force, with help from Portsmouth Police SWAT, executed a search warrant at 1556 12th Street just before 5 p.m. on October 27, uncovering what investigators describe as a dealer’s toolkit.
The Bust: Fentanyl, Crack, and Cash
Inside the residence, officers seized:
- 390.81 grams of suspected fentanyl/opioids
- 51.09 grams of suspected crack cocaine
- A loaded firearm
- Digital scales and packaging materials
- $1,673 in cash
According to investigators, the drugs have an estimated street value of $51,900. The Scioto County Sheriff’s Office later released photos of the seized narcotics, cash, and firearm.
Suspect Once Charged with Murder
The man arrested at the scene—28-year-old Eric Tywan Johnson of Cincinnati, is now charged with:
- Trafficking in Drugs (First-Degree Felony)
- Possession of Drugs (First-Degree Felony)
But Johnson’s criminal history goes far beyond this bust.
In 2021, Johnson was arrested and charged in the murder of Thomas Maul in Cincinnati. He faced charges of murder and felonious assault, though the case was dismissed without prejudice in 2023, meaning the charges can be refiled at any time.
His record in Hamilton County includes charges of:
- Domestic violence
- Receiving stolen property
- Driving without a license
- Obstruction of justice
Court Appearance: Johnson Gets Public Defender
Johnson appeared in Portsmouth Municipal Court this week, where he was declared indigent. The court appointed a public defender and waived the standard $25 counsel fee. He is scheduled to return to court on October 30, and the case will be presented to the Scioto County Grand Jury for potential additional felony indictments.
📞 Got a Tip?
If you have information about drug trafficking in your neighborhood, you can contact the Southern Ohio Drug Task Force:
- 📞 (740) 354-5656
All tips are confidential and anonymous.
🚨 Repeat Offenders, Real Danger
This case is yet another example of violent, repeat offenders traveling into Portsmouth to exploit the drug trade. What started as a raid for drugs has now exposed a suspect with a history that includes one of the most serious charges imaginable, murder. Law enforcement officials say it’s a stark reminder of the kind of danger these out-of-town traffickers bring with them.
