The Portsmouth Police Chief, Debby Brewer, and Scioto County Sheriff, David Thoroughman, jointly announced the arrest of two local residents and three individuals from out of town on drug and weapon charges. The arrests were made as a result of an extensive investigation conducted by the Southern Ohio Drug Task Force.
On July 17th, 2023, at approximately 6:20 p.m., task force officers, supported by the Portsmouth Police Department SWAT, executed a narcotics-related search warrant at the residence of Mary Sexton, 53, and Austin Sexton, 27, located at 2409 17th St. apartment J in Portsmouth.
During the search, officers discovered and confiscated a substantial quantity of suspected illegal substances. The seized items included approximately 1,137 grams of suspected methamphetamine (commonly known as “ice”), 1,253 grams of suspected fentanyl, and 238 grams of suspected crack cocaine. Additionally, four firearms, $16,103 in cash, and other evidence of drug trafficking were also seized. The estimated street value of the confiscated drugs is $201,660, and the total weight of the narcotics seized amounts to around 5.8 pounds.
Mary Sexton and Mischa Williams, 24, from Columbus, Ohio, were charged with Trafficking and Possession of Drugs, both first-degree felonies, as well as Possession of Criminal Tools, a fifth-degree felony. Austin Sexton, Derrick Hutchinson, 35, from Dayton, Ohio, and Delaquan Myers, 34, from West Chester, Ohio, were charged with the same drug-related offenses. In addition, Williams and Myers had warrants for their arrests issued in Franklin County.
All five individuals have been placed in the Scioto County Jail and are scheduled for arraignment in Portsmouth Municipal Court today, Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. The case will be forwarded to the Scioto County Prosecutor’s Office for potential presentation to a Grand Jury, which may result in additional felony charges.
Chief Brewer and Sheriff Thoroughman expressed their gratitude to the tactical medics from the Portsmouth Fire Department for their valuable assistance during the execution of the search warrants. Individuals with any information regarding drug activities are encouraged to contact the Southern Ohio Drug Task Force tip line at (740) 354-5656 or email drugs@sciotocountysheriff.com. All information will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and anonymity.