A Pennsylvania man was indicted on drug and firearms charges, said Carole S. Rendon, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
Michael Betts, 35, of New Castle, Penn., was charged with possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine and heroin, and with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Betts possessed with the intent to distribute crack cocaine and heroin on Nov. 28, 2016, according to the indictment.
On the same date, Betts possessed a Sig Sauer, model 1911, .45 caliber pistol and ammunition, despite a prior conviction for assault with intent to do great bodily harm in Michigan in 2002, according to the indictment.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Salem Police Department. The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.