Two Scioto County residents were given lengthy prison sentences following a two-day jury trial in the Scioto County Court of Common Pleas concluding Sept. 17.

Johnny Dale Fitzpatrick, 51, and Brandi Angelique Bevins, 42, both of Portsmouth, faced nine felony counts related to drug trafficking and tampering with evidence. Following less than two hours of deliberations, the jury convicted Fitzpatrick of all charges, while Bevins was convicted of eight of nine charges.

Judge Mark Kuhn sentenced the pair on Sept. 26 after hearing information regarding the defendants’ criminal histories and the appropriate sentencing factors. Fitzpatrick was given a mandatory 25-year prison term while Bevins was sentenced to a 15-year mandatory prison term.

On Sept. 14, 2023, the Southern Ohio Drug Task Force with assistance from the Portsmouth Police Department executed a search of a residence located at 408 Campbell Ave., Portsmouth. Prior investigation had revealed there was significant drug trafficking of various controlled substances from the residence. When law enforcement entered the residence, they discovered Fitzpatrick and Bevins along with Dayton residents Michael Anthony Lewis and Tony Walker. Fitzpatrick was covered in suspected drug residue and it appeared the residents had attempted to destroy evidence immediately prior to the raid.

Investigation revealed Fitzpatrick and Bevins were the residents of the home and had allowed individuals to use the residence to traffic a large amount of drugs for a significant period of time prior to the execution of the search warrant.

After he was indicted, Fitzpatrick continued to engage in serious criminal behavior, resulting in additional felony indictments. Bevins’ bond was violated as a result of continuing violations while awaiting trial.

Lewis and Walker entered guilty pleas shortly following their indictments and both received prison sentences which they are currently serving. Lewis is currently serving his 12-year sentence for drug trafficking at NorthEast Ohio Correctional Institution. Walker is serving 4.5 years at Chillicothe Correctional Institution for drug trafficking.

The prosecution’s case was presented by chief assistant prosecutor Julie Hutchinson and assistant prosecuting attorney Matthew Loesch. Fitzpatrick and Bevins were represented by local attorneys Aaron Triplett and Valerie Webb.

On behalf of the Scioto County Prosecutor’s Office, Scioto County Prosecutor Shane Tieman thanks the Southern Ohio Drug Task Force and the Portsmouth Police Department for their assistance in this matter.

“Our local law enforcement agencies and my office have devoted significant resources to combatting out-of-town drug traffickers who poison this community for the sake of profit,” Tieman said. “However, we also remain committed to holding accountable those individuals who assist these drug dealers by providing them with housing and other support. We will not remove these individuals from the pool of prosecution nor will we minimize their responsibility. For anyone helping these drug dealers, I recommend looking at these defendants’ convictions and sentences and reconsider your actions.”