We now have new court documents shedding light on the aggravated murder case against Darius Herron, who remains jailed in Scioto County on the most serious charges Ohio allows.
A Scioto County grand jury has formally indicted Herron—also listed in court records as “Bucky”—in connection with a December 21, 2025 homicide, adding critical details that were missing when the case first surfaced.
Firearm Allegations + “Repeat Violent Offender” Specification
According to the indictment, jurors found that Herron allegedly:
- Used or brandished a firearm during the killing (a mandatory firearm specification), and
- Qualifies as a Repeat Violent Offender, based on prior convictions out of Illinois.
Those specifications dramatically raise the stakes if he’s convicted, opening the door to decades in prison or even life sentences under Ohio law.
Herron is charged with:
- Aggravated Murder (with firearm specification and repeat violent offender specification)
- Murder (with firearm specification and repeat violent offender specification)
Once again, the court found Herron indigent and appointed a public defender. He entered a not guilty plea, with a bond hearing held February 12 and a pretrial conference set for February 17.
Second Suspect Also Charged
The indictment also names a co-defendant: Kenneth Bailey, also known as “Cash,” listed as being from Neptune, New Jersey.
Bailey faces his own counts of:
- Aggravated Murder (with firearm specification)
- Murder (with firearm specification)
Scioto County Common Pleas Court issued a warrant for Bailey’s arrest on February 5. As of this writing, he has not been taken into custody.
Tied to December 21 Shooting Near Local Bar
While the indictment redacts the victim’s name, we do know it stems from a shooting in the early morning hours of December 21, an incident that triggered a large emergency response near the Party Time Bar.
Dispatch records obtained by SCDN show:
- A shooting victim was transported to Southern Ohio Medical Center
- A firearm was recovered at the scene
- Detectives established a crime scene log and documented serial numbers from evidence
- Witnesses flagged a Cadillac as possibly connected, prompting officers to attempt a stop
- Police asked for help identifying anyone who may have recorded the incident on their phones
At the time, Portsmouth Police Department did not release victim or suspect names, and they still have not issued a detailed public narrative of what led to the shooting.
Background: Herron’s Long Trail of Trouble
As SCDN previously reported, Herron has spent years drifting between Scioto County and Illinois, repeatedly cycling through local courts:
- August 2024: Aggravated menacing and disorderly conduct (menacing dismissed; convicted on disorderly conduct)
- June 2025: Assault conviction in Scioto County
- September 2025: Traffic stop where he listed a Portsmouth address
For this murder case, Herron again listed Chicago as his residence.
Illinois records also show prior arrests for:
- Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon
- Felon in possession of a firearm
- Unlawful firearm possession tied to gang activity
- Driving under suspension
Despite that history, Herron has repeatedly been found indigent and represented by publicly funded counsel.
Big Questions Still Unanswered
Even with the indictment now public, major pieces remain missing:
- Who exactly was killed?
- What led up to the shooting?
- What roles did each defendant allegedly play?
Those answers are expected to emerge as the case moves through Common Pleas Court.
We’re Still Digging
This indictment confirms what we reported earlier: this is not a simple homicide case—it now involves firearm enhancements, repeat violent offender allegations, and a second suspect from out of state.
SCDN will continue following court filings, tracking the warrant for Bailey, and pressing for official statements as they become available. Given the seriousness of the charges and the multi-state criminal history involved, this case is likely just getting started.
