A Warren man was indicted on charges that he sold heroin that resulted in the overdose death of a woman earlier this year, law enforcement officials said.
John G. Simer II, 38, was charged in a seven-count indictment. The charges include distribution of heroin that resulted in death, possession with intent to distribute heroin, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, being a felon in possession of firearms, using firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking and being a felon in possession of body armor.
Simer sold heroin on March 19, 2017. One day later, a Warren woman ingested the heroin, resulting in her fatal overdose, according to the indictment.
Simer possessed heroin and cocaine on April 19, 2017. He also possessed a Smith & Wesson.40-caliber pistol, 58 rounds of ammunition and body armor on that day, despite previous convictions for aggravated robbery and firearms offenses that made it illegal for him to have a firearm or body armor, according to the indictment.
Prosecutors are seeking to forfeit the firearm, ammunition, body armor and $1,000 in cash seized on April 19.
“Heroin has caused a staggering amount of pain and death across our state, particularly in Trumbull County," said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman. “We will continue to seek long prison sentences for people who sell heroin and profit off this epidemic."
This case was investigated by the Warren Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit, particularly Detectives Melanie Gambill and Chad Shrader. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Marisa T. Darden.
The charge for heroin distribution that resulted in death can carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison.
If convicted, the defendants’ sentences 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 violations.
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.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
