Seventh Cincinnati assault suspect arrested over violent beatdown

A suspect, labeled by prosecutors as the initiator of the widely viewed July 26 downtown Cincinnati altercation, faces new legal issues, now involving federal authorities. 

Jermaine Mathews, aged 39, has been charged with federal drug offenses, according to a release from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio on Monday afternoon. 

“The superseding indictment alleges Mathews was involved in a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl,” stated United States Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II. “He is additionally accused of maintaining a property on Kenton Street in Cincinnati for narcotics trafficking.” 

Suspect in the Cincinnati viral beating in court

Jermaine Mathews, 39, stands before Municipal Court Judge Michael Peck during his arraignment for charges linked to the early morning downtown incident on July 26, 2025. His bond was established at $100,000, on July 30, 2025. His attorney, Brandon Fox, stands at right. (Liz Dufour/The Enquirer, Imagn)

Upon his arraignment for the new charges on Aug. 14, Mathews’ bond was kept at $100,000. 

His lawyer, Brandon Fox, declined to comment. 

He becomes the second out of eight individuals arrested in connection to the assault to face federal charges, though, in both instances, the federal allegations are unrelated to the accused assault.

On Aug. 13, Montianez Merriweather, 34, was charged with illegally possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon. 

Recently charged in the case is one of the victims, 45-year-old Alex Tchervinski. He is observed slapping one of the assailants in the viral footage and has been accused of disorderly conduct. 

Cincinnati assault victim Alex Tchervinski

Exclusive photos obtained by Fox News show Alex Tchervinski’s injuries from the viral beatdown in Cincinnati, Ohio on July 26, 2025. Tchervinski, who is considered a victim in the case, has been charged with with disorderly conduct for his alleged role in the fight.  (Fox News Channel)

Tchervinski’s lawyer, Douglas Brannon, said his client was allegedly hit in the head 28 times and robbed during the attack, while trying to protect his girlfriend and another friend during the melee. 

“What this has done, it has made Alex a victim now for the second time by bringing criminal charges against him,” Brannon told Fox News Digital. “What actually occurred is Alex was hit multiple times, before he slapped back in an attempt to try and defend himself and back off this group of thugs.” 

You May Also Like

Gavin Newsom Signs Stop Nick Shirley Act Amid Backlash - Internewscast Journal

Gavin Newsom Signs Stop Nick Shirley Act Amid Backlash

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Saturday signed the disputed “Stop Nick Shirley…
FBI arrests woman who allegedly plotted ISIS-linked attack on New York state Capitol building

Alleged Online ISIS Radicalization Before Capitol Bomb Plot

Jessica Bowie, 35, of upstate New York, has been hit with terrorism-related…
Paramount hits back at actor Mark Ruffalo over unhinged, 'antisemitic' rant against Warner Bros merger

Paramount Fires Back at Mark Ruffalo Over ‘Antisemitic’ Warner Bros. Merger Attack

Paramount is pushing back against Mark Ruffalo after the actor criticized the…
Sophie Cunningham Supporters and Critics Rally Outside NYC Arena During Liberty-Fever Game Amid Trans Controversy - Internewscast Journal

Sophie Cunningham Supporters and Critics Rally Outside NYC Arena During Liberty-Fever Game Amid Trans Controversy

Competing protests broke out outside the New York Liberty’s Saturday matchup at…
GOP Rep. Van Drew Blasts Filibuster as Harmful Obstruction - Internewscast Journal

GOP Rep. Van Drew Blasts Filibuster as Harmful Obstruction

Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) used a Friday appearance on Fox Business…
Supreme Court Lets White House Ballroom Construction Move Forward for Now - Internewscast Journal

Supreme Court Lets White House Ballroom Construction Move Forward for Now

Washington — The Supreme Court on Friday cleared the way, at least…
Video Shows Final Moments of NYC Grandma Alisa Goods Found Dead - Internewscast Journal

Video Shows Final Moments of NYC Grandma Alisa Goods Found Dead

A Brooklyn grandmother who vanished during a trip to Las Vegas has…
Charles Manson's granddaughter reveals moment she discovered dark family secret: 'It was devastating'

Charles Manson’s Granddaughter Reveals How She Learned Her Family’s Dark Secret: ‘It Was Devastating’

In 2022, Sophia Maddox got the kind of phone call that can…
ComEd Crews Aid NW Indiana Power Restoration After Storms - Internewscast Journal

ComEd Crews Aid NW Indiana Power Restoration After Storms

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. () — Additional assistance is headed to northwest Indiana…
New Costco Plan Raises Traffic Fears Among Bakersfield Neighbors - Internewscast Journal

New Costco Plan Raises Traffic Fears Among Bakersfield Neighbors

A proposed Costco, fuel station and cluster of restaurants could transform a…
San Francisco Beach Closed After Diesel Boat Runs Aground - Internewscast Journal

San Francisco Beach Closed After Diesel Boat Runs Aground

North Beach at Point Reyes National Seashore was temporarily closed Saturday after…
5 Americans killed in helicopter crash in Kenya, including Telemundo executive

5 Americans Killed in Kenya Helicopter Crash; Telemundo Exec Among Victims

Five U.S. citizens were killed Wednesday when a helicopter went down in…