Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

A seven-count indictment was filed charging an Elyria man with federal narcotics and firearms violations, said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

Jerry L. Wells, Jr., 33, faces four counts of distribution of heroin, one count each of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and MDMA, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Wells distributed heroin on four occasions in February. He also possessed 30 grams of MDMA and 60 marijuana plants on Feb. 21, according to the indictment.

On that same date, Wells possessed a Taurus 9 mm pistol despite several previous convictions in Lorain County Common Pleas Court, including heroin trafficking, cocaine trafficking and burglary, according to the indictment.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert F. Corts following an investigation by the Elyria Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

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, 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.

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.