This is the story of James Wilson and how he finally managed to get himself taken to the Scioto County Jail. It wasn’t easy. But he just kept trying.
As you know, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the jail isn’t accepting prisoners unless it’s a serious offense. In most cases, people violating the law are issued a summons to show up for court sometime in May. In most cases.
Sometimes people are so much trouble that officers finally really do have to haul them in. Such a person is James Wilson. James Wilson really, really likes going to the Speedway on Gallia Street. So much so that he was thrown off the premises six times last weekend.
- Early Friday morning, Wilson, who’d been barred from the Speedway kept trying to get back in.
- About an hour after that, Wilson was once again back on the scene at Speedway.
- Thirty minutes later, another call about refusing to leave the property.
- At 10:30 pm on Wilson was back at the Speedway on Gallia. This time he was refusing to leave the bathroom. He was gone when police arrived.
- Just after midnight, the Wilson returned to the Speedway. He was once again advised to stay away.
- He was back bright and early Easter morning at 7:30 am. PPD officers escorted him off the property.
Wilson returned once again on Monday just before 11 pm. Officers advised him to leave. He returned just before 7 in the morning on Tuesday. Officers say he was telling customers in the store that he planned to steal beer.
According to the police log, “He was advised in the strongest way possible” to leave the business alone. Officers also reminded him that “the the jail will open back up soon and this game will be over.”
Guess what happened approximately 20 minutes later? He was arrested at the Speedway and taken to the Scioto County Jail.
Wilson was charged with:
- Resisting Arrest
- Disorderly Conduct
- Criminal Trespass
- Probation Violation
Wilson was last in Portsmouth Municipal Court last Monday on a charge of criminal trespass. He’s been before the court at least 12 times in the past year on similar charges.
Clearly this is a man with some problems. And I think we all have sympathy for him. But, as a former Speedway clerk myself (back in my college days), workers also have a right not to be harassed as do citizens. Hopefully, the court will find a way to get this fellow some help.
