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Press Release

Ravenna Man Faces Firearms And Drug Charges

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Ohio

A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment charging Benny Lee Freeman, 35, of Ravenna, Ohio, with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, and with possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

Count 1 of the indictment charges that on or about December 23, 2013, Freeman was in possession of a Walther, model P22, .22 caliber pistol, a Ruger, model 77/22, .22 caliber rifle, and ammunition, after being previously convicted of Trafficking in LSD, in the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas, and Possession of Marijuana for Sale, in the Tehama County Superior Court in the State of California.

Count 2 of the indictment charges that on or about December 23, 2013, Freeman possessed with the intent to distribute marijuana.

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 and the Portage County Drug Task Force.  The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David M. Toepfer.

An indictment in 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.

Updated March 12, 2015