Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

A Youngstown man was indicted for using a firearm and drug house to distribute marijuana, crack cocaine and other drugs.

 

Rafael Samaniego, 26, was indicted on one count each of maintaining a drug involved premises, possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, possession of firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crime and being felon in possession of firearm/ammunition.    

 

Samaniego distributed marijuana beginning in April 2018. He also maintained a place on West Marion Avenue in Youngstown for distributing marijuana, crack cocaine and other drugs, according to the indictment.

 

Samanigo on April 11 possessed a Taurus .40-caliber pistol in relation to his drug trafficking. He was also prohibited from having a firearm because of a prior federal conviction for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, according to the indictment.

 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. States Attorney David M. Toepfer following an investigation by the Youngstown Police Department and the 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, 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.

 

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.