Cleveland man indicted twice for firearms crimes; also had crack cocaine

A Cleveland man was indicted for two separate firearms crimes, as well as one involving drugs, U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said.

Darren M. Monroe, Jr., 30, was indicted on one count of illegal possession of ammunition and by a felon and possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute. In a separate indictment, he was charged with being illegal possession of a firearm by a felon.

Monroe had five rounds of .22 caliber ammunition and crack cocaine base on November 1, 2016.  He also possessed an H&R .22 caliber revolver and ammunition on January 27, 2018, according to the indictments.

Monroe is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition because of three prior felony convictions for drug trafficking, according to the indictments.

The Cleveland Division of Police’s Neighborhood Impact Community Enforcement Unit, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the RTA Transit Police, the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, and ATF participated in the investigations.  Both cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James P. Lewis.

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.

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.