Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

A federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment charging Rashad Mathews, 28, of Youngstown, with drug trafficking and  firearms violations, U.S Attorney Carole S. Rendon said.

Mathews possessed a Ruger, model 10/22, .22 caliber rifle and ammunition on April 15, 2015. On Dec. 1, 2015, Mathews possessed a Norinco, model 213, 9mm pistol; a Kahr Arms, model CW9, 9mm pistol; a Raven Arms, model MP-25, .25 caliber pistol; and a Raven Arms, model P-25, .25 caliber pistol. He had these firearms despite a 2007 felony conviction in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court in 2007, according to the indictment.

Mathews distributed marijuana on June 4, 201 and on December 1, 2015, he possessed with the intent to distribute marijuana, 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.   The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States 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.