SCIOTO COUNTY, Ohio— Two men were arrested earlier this morning after a person called police about a suspicious person.
According to Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman, on Wednesday, 9-1-1 dispatch recieved a call about a suspicious person in the driveway of the caller.
Reports say, deputies responded to the 200 block of Coleman Road in West Portsmouth.
Upon arrival, deputies spoke will the caller, who said a unknown man was dropped off near their residence by someone driving a black Ford Mustang. The caller went on to tell the on-scene deputy that the vehicle then returned, traveling at a high rate of speed.
Additional deputies then searched the surrounding area and found a Mustang matching the callers description. Reports say, the Ford Mustang and a second vehicle were parked, blocking the roadway in front of a Coleman Road residence.
Inside the truck was William Smith. Smith, Sheriff Thoroughman said, had a warrant out for his arrest. Deputies say a handgun, marijuana, and drug paraphenalia were located inside the vehicle.
The homeowner said that Smith, his daughter, and a man named Charles Lute were the only people that were supposed to be at the home.
Reports say deputies entered Charles Lute’s name into their LEADS database and discovered that he too had a warrant for his arrest.
The owner of the home Randall Shepherd, told deputies that he would have Charles Lute come outside and speak with the deputies. Officials say the owner entered the house. That is when deputies heard screaming and arguing coming from inside. The deputies entered the home and found drugs, a firearm, and paraphilia in plain view.
Shepherd then attempted to leave the scene when he was stopped by law enforcement and asked if anything illegal was inside of his vehicle. Shepherd, according to reports, told the deputies that he was in possession of a small amount of marijuana.
Following the discovery of drugs and weapons inside the home and vehicles, members of the Major Crimes Task Force, were requested to the scene. Consent, was given to search the home where additional items, including a “pill press” and a locked safe, were seized.
Arrested at the scene was William Ashley Smith, age 41, of West Portsmouth. Smith was arrested on warrant for Contempt of Court out of the Scioto County Domestic Relations Court. Also arrested was Charles M. Lute III, age 32, of Portsmouth. Lute was arrested on a Bench Warrant for Escape.
Sheriff Thoroughman said a search warrant was granted for the safe. Inside was located 125 grams of methamphetamine, 34 grams of fentanyl, 7 grams of cocaine, $1,000 cash, and two sawed-off shotguns with laser sights.
The case, Thoroughman said, is still ongoing, and additional charges will be forthcoming.