JAMIL JOHNSON CASE Police suspect man used cocaine before his death

It will take a few more weeks to finish the internal affairs investigation.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Police believe a city man who died in the hospital a day after being arrested may have ingested cocaine as well as a prescription medication.
According to a police department 911 audio recording, shortly after Jamil Johnson was arrested Saturday morning, police found a plastic bag in his car that contained a white powder. Patrol Officer Greg Hoso can be heard telling the dispatcher that he believed there was saliva on the bag, which made him believe that someone was eating the substance.
Lt. Joseph Marhulik said police believe the white substance is cocaine.
"We are having it tested," Marhulik said. He said the results should be back in a few weeks.
Johnson, 24, of Ferndale, had admitted to officers that he took about 10 doses of Valium moments before he was arrested.
Seizure
According to city reports and Trumbull County Sheriff's Department records, Johnson had a white powdery substance around his lips. About 10 minutes after his arrest, Johnson was making noises like he was going to throw up and he had a seizure.
According to the audio tape, seconds after Johnson had a seizure, Patrol Officer Jeff Miller can be heard asking the dispatcher to call for an ambulance. Miller also states on the recording that Johnson said he took Valium.
Hoso can then be heard telling Miller to advise the ambulance workers that Johnson may have also ingested cocaine.
Less than two minutes after Miller first requested the ambulance, he used his radio again to tell the dispatcher to advise the ambulance to hurry.
Once the ambulance arrived, Johnson was taken to St. Joseph Medical Center and then later transferred to St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown, where he died Sunday evening.
According to a city police report filed by Hoso, Johnson was arrested on charges of failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer and possession of drugs, around 10:30 a.m. Saturday after a short pursuit.
Marhulik said Hoso was attempting to apprehend Johnson for failing to stop at a stop sign.
Johnson was apprehended on Oak Circle.
Marhulik, an internal affairs officer, is investigating the matter to determine whether any policy or procedures were violated by officers.
The Mahoning County Coroner's Office said the autopsy results should be completed by the end of the month.
sinkovich@vindy.com