Portsmouth couple receives lengthy prison sentences for housing, assisting out-of-town drug dealers
Two Scioto County residents were each given lengthy prison sentences last week following a two-day jury trial in the Scioto County Court of Common Pleas, the Scioto County Prosecutor’s Office announced Wednesday.
Johnny Dale Fitzpatrick, 51, and Brandi Angelique Bevins, 42, both of Portsmouth, each faced nine felony counts related to drug trafficking and tampering with evidence.
Following less than two hours of deliberations, the jury convicted Fitzpatrick of each and every charge he faced, while Bevins was convicted of eight of the nine charges Sept. 17.
Judge Mark Kuhn announced the defendants’ sentences 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 on Campbell Avenue in Portsmouth. Prior investigation had revealed that there was significant drug trafficking of various controlled substances from the residence.
When law enforcement entered the residence, they discovered Fitzpatrick and Bevins present, along with Dayton residents Michael Anthony Lewis and Tony Walker. Fitzpatrick was covered in suspected drug residue, and it appeared that the residents had attempted to destroy evidence immediately prior to the raid.
Investigation revealed that Fitzpatrick and Bevins were the residents of the home and had allowed individuals to utilize the residence for the purpose of trafficking 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 are currently being served.
The State of Ohio’s case was presented by chief assistant prosecutor Julie Hutchinson and assistant prosecuting attorney Matthew Loesch. Mr. Fitzpatrick and Ms. Bevins were represented by local attorneys Aaron Triplett and Valerie Webb.
On behalf of the Scioto County Prosecutor’s Office, 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,” said Tieman. “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.”
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