A Ravenna man was indicted for using a firearm while selling fentanyl and cocaine, as well as making a straw purchase of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said.
Josiah Jackson, 25, was indicted on one count of making a false statement in acquisition of a firearm, one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and one count each of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine and marijuana.
Jackson on March 28, 2018, possessed a Springfield 9 mm pistol, a Glock 9 mm pistol, a FN 28-caliber pistol and a Glock 40-caliber pistol, as well as ammunition. He also possessed fentanyl, cocaine and marijuana, according to the indictment.
Jackson also purchased a Taurus 9 mm pistol from On Target Firearms LLC in Parma on July 31, 2015. Jackson stated he was the actual buyer of the firearm when, in fact, he was not the actual buyer, 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 violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Portage County Sheriff’s Office and the Cleveland Divisions of Police. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott Zarzycki and Robert J. Patton.
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
