PORTSMOUTH, Ohio — In a significant judicial roundup, the Scioto County Grand Jury met this May with proceedings concluding on June 28, resulting in 18 indictments encompassing a variety of severe charges. Scioto County Prosecutor Shane A. Tieman presided over the indictments, signaling a robust response from local law enforcement to drug-related offenses and violent crimes.
The list of charges includes drug trafficking, possession of narcotics, pandering obscenity involving minors, theft of firearms, and assaults, reflecting the serious nature of crimes impacting the community. Devon Varney, 28, of McDermott, faces charges for aggravated possession of drugs, highlighting a persistent fight against narcotics in the region.
Simultaneously, younger individuals such as Michael Riffe, 18, also from McDermott, were indicted for attempted pandering obscenity involving a minor or impaired person, showcasing the range of offenses that traverse age groups in the community. More severe charges were levied against Ryan Williams, 46, of McDermott, who has been indicted for trafficking and possession of a fentanyl-related compound, among other drug-related offenses.
In an era where digital crimes are on the rise, Hunter Mueller, 21, of Portsmouth, faces multiple counts of telecommunications fraud and misuse of credit cards, indicating the increasing vigilance against electronic and financial crimes in Scioto County.
Notably, the range of indictments also covers property crimes with substantial ramifications. Tayvon Mayhone, 23, of Portsmouth, and Treyvon Truett, 22, of Lucasville, have been charged with burglary and grand theft relating to firearms, underscoring the heightened risks and consequences of property crimes involving potentially lethal items.
Further emphasizing the diversity of the criminal activities, Hope Fyffe, 29, of Pedro, and several others face multiple drug-related charges, from aggravated possession to the possession of drug abuse instruments, painting a stark picture of the drug epidemic facing the community.
The case of Amy Adkins, 48, of West Portsmouth, particularly underscores the intersection of property theft and drug-related offenses as she faces charges for receiving stolen property and illegal possession of drug paraphernalia. This cross-section of crime types lays bare the interconnected nature of criminal behaviors that often support or drive one another.
Moreover, addressing violent behavior, Adam Davis, 30, of Portsmouth, has been indicted on charges of felonious assault and domestic violence, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat physical and domestic abuse within the community.
In addition, the spread of narcotics continues to be a focus, with individuals like Brigette Burge, 45, of Portsmouth, facing possession charges specifically related to fentanyl compounds, an issue that local law enforcement continues to prioritize given the opioid crisis’s hold on the nation.
Each case from this term’s indictments underscores not only the range of criminal activities in Scioto County but also signals a broader societal challenge that local judiciary and law enforcement are striving to address through legal means. With these indictments, the county illustrates its commitment to safeguarding community welfare against a backdrop of diverse and complex criminal threats. These cases are now set to go through the judicial process, where the allegations will be thoroughly examined in court under the scrutiny of the law.