A Mahoning County corrections officer faces charges after police said he illegally conducted an information search on two acquaintances who turned out to be suspected heroin dealers.
Ryan Freeman, 30, also a Braceville cop, did the search as a favor for Frederick Johnson, 39, and Brandy Purbaugh, 26.
That was just weeks before Johnson and Purbaugh led police on a chase through the city after they'd just picked up a package of heroin shipped in from Detroit.
According to Trumbull Ashtabula Group Law Enforcement Task Force officers, Johnson and Purbaugh were among several under investigation in Trumbull County involved in the distribution of heroin, often coming from Detroit.
During their investigation, officers said they discovered Freeman had accessed their information through Mahoning County's law enforcement search system in late December. Freeman allegedly learned through the search Johnson and Purbaugh were under investigation by TAG and communicated that to them.
He also had accessed the names and information of two other officers, said police.
After the discovery, TAG officers, Jan. 16, were conducting surveillance on 2042 Wallace St. and 119 Walnut Court residences in connection with Johnson's and Purbaugh's drug activity after receiving information the two were expecting a package of drugs from Detroit.
Police said the two, knowing they were under investigation, had planned it as their last drug deal.
When Purbaugh and Johnson were returning home with the delivery, they spotted the unmarked cars and led police through several neighborhoods before bailing from their car.
The two had dropped nearly one pound of heroin in the yard of a Hazelwood residence along with four ounces of cocaine in two others. Police also found a firearm and holster.
After a tip, police, that night, found and arrested Purbaugh, who attempted to use drug money to post bail the next day.
Johnson turned himself in Thursday.
Friday, TAG then executed a search warrant at Freeman's 2631 Front St. home and seized several items including a police radio, computer, printer and cell phone. Johnson will face charges of unauthorized use of the Ohio Law Enforcement Gateway and obstruction of justice.
