Damar Arnold

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Frank Lewis

PDT Staff Writer

A Portsmouth man has been charged with multiple drug counts and weapons charges. Damar J. Arnold, 27, of 1220 G Robinson Ave., is charged with criminal trespass, having weapons under disability, possession of drugs - heroin, trafficking in drugs containing heroin and carrying a concealed weapon. Arnold has a prior conviction for armed robbery and prior arrest record in Columbus.

Portsmouth police say they were investigating suspected drug activity in Farley Square housing area, when they observed Arnold and others standing by the Head Start building. Arnold was detained by Narcotics Detective Steve Timberlake and asked if he had any guns, knives or needles. Arnold apparently told him he had a pistol in the pocket of his “hoody”. Timberlake took the .25 caliber loaded handgun, handcuffed Arnold and read him his Miranda rights.

Arnold was searched and found to have a baggy containing three pills with white powder and a piece of baggy with white powder, which he told officers was heroin. When asked how much money he had, Arnold reportedly told police about $300 to $400. When police patted him down, they reportedly found $954.

Police said they asked Arnold how much he charged for the pills, and he told them $20. He said the baggy with the heroin was also $20. When officers checked his text messages, they reportedly found messages asking for “a half for $70.” Arnold reportedly told them that meant the person wanted half-a-gram of heroin for $70.

Arnold was transported to the Scioto County Jail. Arrested at the same time were two others, Dean Crawford of Franklin County for an indictment from Scioto County, and an indictment warrant for failure to register as a sex offender out of Franklin County. He was also, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, in possession of $1,231 in cash. Kenneth Young of Portsmouth was arrested for criminal trespass.

The OSHP tally shows confiscation of 35 grams of marijuana, a gram of crack cocaine, 78 grams of heroin, $2,185 in cash, and two firearms.

Frank Lewis may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 252, or at flewis@heartlandpublications.com.