Bedford man indicted on federal drug and firearms charges

A Bedford man was indicted on drug and firearms charges, said Carole S. Rendon, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

Norman L. Hunter, 43, is accused of distributing more than 500 grams of cocaine as well as illegally possessing five firearms, despite a previous felony conviction.

Matthew A. Martin, 31, of San Diego, is also named in the three-count indictment, accused of distributing more than 500 grams of cocaine.

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 offenses, and the characteristics of the violations.  In all cases, the sentences will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases they will be less than the maximum.        

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Vasile Katsaros following an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

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.