Major Athens County drug case leads to 20-year prison sentences
Jeremiah Deundra Fuller, 26, originally from Detroit, Mich., and Javahri Emanuel Portis, 26, of Athens, Ohio, were recently sentenced to a term of 20 years in prison in Athens County Common Pleas Court.
Portis and Fuller were both convicted of a total of 28 counts for charges including engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, trafficking in a fentanyl-related compound, possession of a fentanyl-related compound, trafficking in cocaine, possession of cocaine and having weapons while under disability, which includes two felonies of the fourth degree, nine felonies of the third degree, 13 felonies of the second degree and four felonies of the first degree.
The Athens County Sheriff’s Office began to investigate Portis and Fuller in 2023. This investigation let to a total of nine known sales of narcotics totaling over four ounces of fentanyl and two ounces of methamphetamine, which was believed to be sold for distribution to other individuals in not only Athens County but also Morgan, Meigs and Fairfield counties.
Law enforcement ultimately arrested Portis and Fuller on Aug. 3, 2023, at which time two ounces of fentanyl and one ounce of cocaine was located in their possession.
Portis and Fuller both changed their original pleas of not guilty to guilty, and after statements were made by the State of Ohio as well as by the defendants, their attorneys and family members, the Court sentenced both of them to 20 years in prison, 10 of which are mandatory.
Portis and Fuller both expressed their remorse, apologizing to their families as well as the community, the Court, law enforcement and the Prosecutor’s Office for their actions. Upon release, they both intend to work with individuals to seek drug and alcohol and mental health treatment.
Prosecutor Keller J. Blackburn stated that, “I am grateful to the law enforcement officers that invested so much time into bringing these individuals to justice and to safeguard our community by getting these types of drugs off the streets as to not harm additional individuals and their families. First Assistant Prosecutor Meg Saunders led this case from start to finish. Meg embodies all that is good about prosecutors. She works to help those struggling with addiction and works relentlessly to seek justice against those who spread addiction. Our philosophy is you win with people for the goal of making our community better. I am lucky to have great people like Meg to work toward these goals.”
Prosecutor Blackburn added, “If anyone is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, please contact the Athens County Prosecutor’s Office at 740-592-3208. You do not have to be part of the legal process to get help from our office.”
This case was investigated by the Athens County Sheriff’s Office, the Athens County Prosecutor’s Office and the Athens Police Department with assistance provided by the Westerville Police Department, the Delaware County L.E.A.P. Task Force, task forces in Washington and Meigs counties, the Rutland Police Department and the Columbus Division of Police, Organized Crime Bureau.
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