The Portsmouth Daily Times reported on May 16, 2007 that the Portsmouth Police Department arrested James Donald Truman aka "The Eastend Drug Kingpin" on charges of illegal drug possession, tampering with evidence, and other criminal activity. Truman has been arrested on other drug charges in the past only to be released after the Scioto County Prosecutors Office accepted a polygraph test to clear Truman. Residents of Portsmouth's Eastend stated that Truman had been protected in the past by corrupt Portsmouth Police Officers/Detectives who were taking bribes in exchange for turning a blind eye to drug traffic that occurred out in the open on Sixth and Seventh Streets of Portsmouth.
I have personal information the Portsmouth Police Chief Charles Horner was provided the name of one PPD Detective that was observed with Truman in his police vehicle behind Truman's home in the alley between Sixth and Seventh Street. One man called Portsmouth Police Chief Charles Horner after he personally witnessed small children in a room where oxycontin was being sold but Chief Horner took no action on the report.
You have to give Truman credit. It appears that most of the property is owned by Truman's brother which prevents the Scioto County Prosecutors Office from going after the property under the drug seizure laws of the State of Ohio. The Sentinel conducted a drug investigation on a Scioto County Probation Officer in the mid 1990's and in the middle of that investigation Truman bought property from the drug addicted individual we were investigating.
I wonder if the Apostolic Church on Jackson Avenue still operates a charter school? If so, why hasn't Truman been charged with selling drugs within a school zone? The school's gymnasium is well within 1000 feet of Truman's home and garage that was searched and where drugs were located. I wonder if the Scioto County Prosecutors Office is aware that this school may exist? That could be an honest mistake on their part. We will be contacting the minister of the church to see if they still operate their school at the church.
We will keep you updated on this matter as it progresses through the court system.
Anyone with information on this case can contact me at johnwelton1958@yahoo.com
John Welton (DD)
