kenai man indicted by federal grand jury for drug and gun crimes
Anchorage, Alaska – Acting United States Attorney Kevin Feldis announced today that a Kenai man was indicted by a federal grand jury in Anchorage for one count of possessing methamphetamine and morphine with intent to distribute and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.
The two-count indictment names Edward Douglas Brighton, 42, a resident of Kenai, Alaska, as the sole defendant. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of drug proceeds and property used to facilitate drug trafficking offenses, including $8,617 in U.S. currency and one Smith and Wesson 9 mm handgun with ammunition.
According to the indictment, on February 22, 2010, Brighton possessed with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine and a detectable amount of morphine. The indictment also alleges that on that same date, Brighton possessed a firearm in furtherance of the drug-trafficking crime.
Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Sayers-Fay, who presented the case to the grand jury, advised that the drug-trafficking offense carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years’ imprisonment, while the maximum penalties for this offense are 40 years’ imprisonment, a $2 million fine, and lifetime supervised release. If convicted of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking offense, Brighton will face an additional five years’ incarceration, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to lifetime supervised release for that offense as well.
The Alaska State Troopers and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation the led to the indictment in this case.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
