PORTSMOUTH, Ohio — Scioto County Prosecutor Shane A. Tieman announced Monday that the January term of the Scioto County Grand Jury met February 27 and returned 20 public indictments spanning drug possession and trafficking, burglary, theft, and failure to appear charges.
Drug-related offenses dominate the indictment list. Rodney Blankenship, 44, of West Portsmouth, faces the most serious charges — including aggravated trafficking in drugs, aggravated possession of drugs, trafficking in a fentanyl-related compound, possession of a fentanyl-related compound, two counts of having weapons while under disability, possessing criminal tools, possession of drugs, possessing drug abuse instruments, and illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia.
Several others face fentanyl and cocaine-related charges, including Brandon Caldwell, 43, of West Portsmouth; Robert Dorst, 57, of Portsmouth; Rachael McGinnis, 50, of Portsmouth; Sarah Smalley, 38, of Portsmouth; Derrick Pernell, 43, of New Boston; Isom Messer, 51, of Portsmouth; Charles Hinson, 55, of Beavercreek; and Jerry Puckett, 53, of McDermott.
Three defendants face burglary charges. Levi Allen-Brown, 26, of Otway, was indicted on burglary and grand theft of a motor vehicle. Dustin Hilterbrand, 45, of Columbus, and Robert Gambill, 38, of McDermott, each face burglary, grand theft of a firearm or dangerous ordnance, and grand theft of a motor vehicle.
Kristen Lewis, 30, of Portsmouth, faces multiple theft counts along with forgery and telecommunications fraud. Crystal Gilbert, 43, of Portsmouth, was indicted on theft from a person in a protected class, theft, and telecommunications fraud. Jodi Howard, 52, of West Portsmouth, faces tampering with evidence, forgery, and identity fraud.
Chris Helton, 48, of Lucasville, was indicted on receiving stolen property and resisting arrest.
Three defendants — Jason James, 48, of Portsmouth; Joshua Arroyo, 34, of Michigan City, Indiana; and William Cordial, 50, of Ashland, Kentucky — were each indicted on failure to appear as required by recognizance.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent unless convicted in a court of law.