Just after 4 p.m., a resident on 29th Street spotted a suspicious man going door to door, handing out flyers with a phone number that purportedly to be a “claims adjuster.” But when one savvy neighbor dialed the number, it connected not to an insurance company—but to a vacuum cleaner outfit in Columbus.
She showed police a photo of the man, and officers instantly recognized him: a homeless parolee with a criminal record longer than the Scioto Trail. He’s no stranger to local law enforcement, having been arrested multiple times this year alone. Just last month, he was busted for breaking into a vehicle on 25th Street.
Police caught up with him near the Marathon station and hit him with three fresh charges:
- 📞 Telecommunications Fraud
- 💸 Theft
- 🚨 Parole Violation
And yes, this is the same guy already on parole for aggravated robbery.
You read that right—aggravated robbery. Yet despite that, and despite being officially listed as “homeless” in multiple court records (a technical violation of Ohio parole requirements), he’s managed to avoid any actual consequences for violating parole.
Instead of being held, Portsmouth Municipal Court released him on his own recognizance and set a preliminary hearing for May 15. Translation? The guy with a rap sheet that includes rape, drug trafficking, robbery, theft, domestic threats, and vehicle theft is once again back on the streets.
📆 A Timeline of Escalation:
- 7 weeks ago – Christopher D’Souza was rrested outside CVS on Scioto Trail for loitering. Police find an active parole violation warrant. He’s taken in… and then let go.
- January 2024 – Sentenced to 180 days for receiving stolen property. Only serves 14. The rest is suspended in favor of drug treatment.
- July 2023 – Released from prison after serving time for aggravated robbery.
- Past charges include:
- Drug Trafficking
- Criminal Trespass
- Robbery
- Vehicle Theft
- Domestic Threats
- Petty Theft
- Rape
- Driving Without a License
Yet despite all that, he’s been allowed to drift around Portsmouth neighborhoods—knocking on doors, spinning stories, and raising alarms.
Police told the concerned resident to call them back if he returns.
But for many in Portsmouth, one question echoes louder than the rest: Why was he ever let go in the first place?
