Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced a 15-count federal indictment charging ERIC ANTOINE BLACK, a/k/a “J,” 36, and OTIS JASON WEAVER, a/k/a “O,” 39, in a heroin distribution conspiracy. BLACK was also charged with possession of cocaine and firearms violations. BLACK and WEAVER will be arraigned on these charges before a Magistrate Judge in U.S. District Court at a later date.

According to the allegations in the indictment, between March 20, 2019, through May 30, 2019, BLACK and WEAVER conspired with each other and others to distribute more than a kilogram of heroin. According to the indictment, BLACK and WEAVER distributed heroin on several occasions between those dates.  BLACK was also charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. The indictment further alleges that on May 30, 2019, BLACK illegally possessed a firearm, namely, a Glock model 27 .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol. Because he has prior felony convictions in Cook County, Illinois and LaPorte County, Indiana, BLACK is prohibited under federal law from possessing any type of firearm or ammunition at any time.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the Duluth Police Department. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that brings together federal, state, and local law enforcement to combat violent crime.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Calhoun-Lopez is prosecuting the case.

Defendant Information:

ERIC ANTOINE BLACK, a/k/a “J,” 36

Duluth, Minn.

Charges:

• Conspiracy to distribute heroin, 1 count
• Distribution of heroin, 9 counts
• Possession with intent to distribute heroin, 1 count
• Possession with intent to distribute cocaine, 1 count
• Felon in possession of a firearm, 1 count
• Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, 1 count

OTIS JASON WEAVER, a/k/a “O,” 39

Duluth, Minn.

Charges:

• Conspiracy to distribute heroin, 1 count
• Distribution of heroin, 9 counts
• Possession with intent to distribute heroin, 1 count

###