Joshua Walls
Frank Lewis
PDT Staff Writer
Authorities have confiscated over $18,000 in heroin, a large amount of cash and a firearm in the arrest of three people in the city of Portsmouth. Arrested were 33-year-old Joshua M. Walls of 1424 Park St. in Portsmouth, 24-year-old Aaron M. Knolton of Dayton, Ohio, and 32-year-old Brandon L. Jackson of 1542 1/2 Grant St. in Portsmouth.
Walls and Knolton were charged with trafficking in heroin, a felony of the first degree, possession of heroin, also a felony of the first degree, and possession of criminal tools, a felony of the fifth degree. Jackson was charged with possession of heroin, a felony of the fifth degree, and having a weapon while under disability, a felony of the third degree.
Portsmouth Police Chief Robert Ware and Scioto County Sheriff Marty V. Donini said on Thursday, at approximately 2:27 p.m., detectives and agents from the Southern Ohio Drug Task Force, along with officers from the Portsmouth Police Department — with the assistance of detectives from the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office — conducted a multi-agency operation, which led to the execution of narcotics-related search warrants at residences located at 1424 Park St. and 1542 ½ Grant St. in Portsmouth.
Upon searches being conducted at both residences by law enforcement personnel, officers seized approximately 130 grams of suspected Heroin, with a street values of approximately $18,200. Authorities also seized approximately $4,400 cash, a firearm, digital scales and other materials suspected of being used for the purpose of trafficking drugs.
The investigation that led to the search warrant execution at the Grant Street address was initiated by officers of the Portsmouth Police Department utilizing a grant awarded to the city to combat narcotics trafficking. Drug Task Force personnel initiated the investigation that led to the search warrant execution at the Park Street address.
Walls, Knolton, and Jackson were placed in the Scioto County Jail and were to be arraigned in Portsmouth Municipal Court on Friday morning. Walls is being held on a $50,000 bond, Knolton on a $252,500 bond, and Jackson on a $12,500 bond.
Ware and Donini took the opportunity to commend the efforts of the law enforcement personnel involved and the coordination of the operation by the agencies involved.
Ware and Donini also commended the public for the tips providde to law enforcement, saying they continue to be extremely useful in helping to bring drug investigations to a successful conclusion.
They said anyone wishing to leave drug information for the Southern Ohio Drug Task Force can contact the Task Force tip line at 740-354-5656 or e-mail drugs@sciotocountysheriff.com. All information will be kept confidential and anonymous.
Frank Lewis may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 252, or at flewis@civitasmedia.com. For breaking news, follow Frank on Twitter @FrankLewisPDT.
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