West Portsmouth pair sentenced as major drug offenders following 2-day trial

Scioto County Prosecutor Shane Tieman announced Monday that two Scioto County residents were each given 11-16.5-year prison sentences following a two-day jury trial in the Scioto County Court of Common Pleas concluding on March 7.

Brian Carr, 40, and Amber Aeh, 42, both of West Portsmouth, each faced four felony counts related to drug trafficking, possession of drugs and the possession of criminal tools. Following less than an hour of deliberations, the jury convicted Mr. Carr and Ms. Aeh of each and every charge they faced.

Judge Howard H. Harcha III announced the defendants’ sentences following the trial, each of which reflected the required prison term set forth by the Ohio Revised Code.

On May 13, 2021, the Southern Ohio Drug Task Force with assistance from the Scioto County Adult Probation Department, conducted a search of the residence of Carr on U.S. 52 in West Portsmouth. Located inside the residence was Mr. Carr, along with Aeh.

A search of the residence resulted in the discovery of over 465 grams of methamphetamine, two sets of digital scales, 15 hydrocodone pills and a number of other items associated with the distribution of drugs. The total street value of the drugs in question likely exceeded $40,000.

Investigation both prior to and following the search revealed that both Mr. Carr and Ms. Aeh were directly involved in obtaining and distributing controlled substances.

The State of Ohio’s case was presented by County Prosecutor Shane Tieman along with Chief Assistant prosecutor Julie Cooke-Hutchinson. Mr. Carr and Ms. Aeh were represented by local attorneys Luke Brazinski and Karyn Justice.

On behalf of the Scioto County Prosecutor’s Office, Mr. Tieman thanks the Southern Ohio Drug Task Force, the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office, the Portsmouth Police Department, the Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Scioto County Probation Department.

“We will not be deterred in our ongoing efforts to rid this community of the scourge of the drug epidemic,” Tieman said. “Methamphetamine has ruined the lives of countless members of this county and represents one of the greatest challenges my office faces daily. We hope that this jury’s determination and the substantial prison sentences received by these defendants serves as a deterrent to anyone even considering trafficking these drugs.”