Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman and Portsmouth Police Chief Debby Brewer announced that a Cincinnati man was arrested on drug charges after an investigation conducted by the Southern Ohio Drug Task Force.

In recognition of judicial excellence and innovation, Ohio State Bar Association 2025-2026 President Bill Chris presented the 2025 Thomas J. Moyer Award for Judicial Excellence to Scioto County Common Pleas Court Judge Howard “Hank” Harcha III and the 2025 Innovative Court Programs and Practices Award to “Operation: Better Together” at the Adams County Court of Common Pleas, led by Judge Brett Spencer. Both awards were presented as part of the Ohio Judicial Conference annual meeting at the Hilton Easton Columbus on Sept. 12.

Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman reports that on Monday, Sept. 22, Deputy Megan Carver was driving southbound on Scioto Trail approaching the intersection of Kinney’s Lane and Scioto Trail. The deputy noticed a female attempting to roll down the rear passenger window as if she needed help.

On Sept. 18, the Southern Ohio Organized and Major Crimes Task Force, in coordination with the Ohio Board of Pharmacy, Scioto County Sheriff’s Office, Pike County Prosecutor’s Office, Pike County Sheriff’s Office, Waverly Police Department and the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, executed multiple search warrants as part of an investigation into the alleged distribution of drugs obtained illegally on the black market and sold to customers as purported weight-loss medications.

Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman announced that an arrest has been made in connection to an alleged homicide that took place Sept. 1 on Millers Run-Fallen Timber Road in Lucasville.

On Aug. 21, the United States Marshals Service, working in partnership with the Southern Ohio Organized and Major Crimes Task Force (SOOMCTF), conducted a coordinated operation spanning Scioto County, Ohio; Adams County, Ohio; and Greenup County, Ky.

A Piketon resident received a life sentence without parole eligibility for the next 60 years following his convictions for four counts of murder and a host of related charges following a three-day bench trial which concluded July 9.

Ohio Attorney General David Yost, Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman, Portsmouth Police Chief Debby Brewer, New Boston Police Chief Carl Compton, Scioto County Prosecuting Attorney Shane Tieman, Pike County Sheriff Tracy Evans, Pike County Prosecuting Attorney Michael A. Davis and Lawrence County Sheriff Jeff Lawless announced the arrest of a fugitive wanted for rape, following a joint investigation led by the Southern Ohio Organized & Major Crimes Task Force.

A Proctorville resident received a sentence of over 49 years in prison following a four-day jury trial and approximately five hours of deliberations in the Lawrence County Court of Common Pleas which concluded May 1, Scioto County Prosecutor Shane Tieman announced May 12.

Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman reports that on April 28 at 7:20 a.m., the 911 Communications Center received a call of threats allegedly being made to individuals at a residence on Wolf Run Road in West Portsmouth.

Budget cuts at the federal and state level have the potential to raise the uninsured rate in Ohio and put health coverage in jeopardy for a large part of the state.

Agents with the Southern Ohio Organized and Major Crimes Task Force responded to Pine Creek Road to follow up on information that they received on the possible location of three persons that have been reported missing from multiple counties.

Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman announced that on Sunday, March 16 at approximately 12:56 p.m., the 911 Communication Center received a call from a female allegedly making threats toward her neighbor in South Webster.

Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman stated that on Wednesday, March 19 at approximately 3:14 a.m. the 911 Communication Center received a call from Southern Ohio Medical Center stating that they had two victims show up at the hospital with stab wounds.