Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

A Cleveland man was indicted on heroin and firearms charges, U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said.

Brandon Parker, 31, was indicted on two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and two counts of possession with intent to distribute heroin.

Parker had more than four grams of heroin on July 15, 2017, and a Harrington & Richardson 20-gauge shotgun, a .357-caliber revolver and ammunition, despite prior convictions for drug trafficking and having a weapon under disability. He also had a Ruger .38-caliber pistol and ammunition on Nov. 29, 2016, according to the indictment.

If convicted, the defendants’ sentences 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 violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ranya Elzein following an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Cleveland Division of Police.

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.

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