Franklin County Grand Jury Indicts Jamila Perry on Seven Counts

Posted on 1/9/2023

Defendant: Jamila Perry

Indictments stem from 2021 death of Franklin County Corrections Center inmate

A Franklin County grand jury on Friday indicted Jamila Perry, 30, of Columbus on seven counts related to the 2021 death of Fredreca Ford.

On June 26, 2021, Ms. Ford was found unresponsive at the Franklin County Corrections Center on Jackson Pike in Columbus. She was taken to the hospital, where she later died. Tests indicated she died of fentanyl poisoning.

An investigation by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office determined that Ms. Perry, an inmate at the corrections center, provided the drugs that caused Ms. Ford’s death after illegally conveying them into the facility.

The Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office presented the case last week, and the grand jury returned indictments on the following counts:

1. Involuntary manslaughter
2. Corrupting another with drugs
3. Possession of a fentanyl-related compound
4. Trafficking in a fentanyl-related compound
5. Possession of cocaine
6. Trafficking in cocaine
7. Illegal conveyance of drugs of abuse onto grounds of a specified governmental facility

A grand jury only decides whether or not a crime has been committed.

A warrant for Ms. Perry’s arrest has been issued. Her trial date will be announced after her arrest and arraignment.