Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney's Office
Northern District of Ohio
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
Justin E. Herdman
Contact: Mike Tobin
Cleveland man indicted for selling fentanyl and crack cocaine and using a firearm as part of his drug trafficking
A Cleveland man was indicted for selling fentanyl and crack cocaine and using a firearm as part of his drug trafficking, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman.
Steven Riddle, 26, was indicted on one count each of distribution of fentanyl, distribution of crack cocaine, using a firearm in relation to drug trafficking and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Riddle possessed fentanyl and crack cocaine on Dec. 5, 2017, as well as a FNH 9 mm pistol. Riddle is prohibited from having a firearm because of previous convictions for drug trafficking, attempted drug trafficking, burglary and drug trafficking, according to the indictment.
The investigation was conducted by the ATF, U.S. Marshal Service and Cleveland Division of Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. States Attorneys Kelly Galvin and Scott Zarzycki.
If convicted, the defendants sentences will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendants’ prior criminal record, if any, the defendants’ 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.
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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