East Cleveland man convicted of manslaughter indicted for having a firearm

A federal grand jury indicted an East Cleveland man for using a firearm while trafficking marijuana, U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said.

Keli Dunnican, 42, was indicted on one count each of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, use of a firearm in relation to drug trafficking and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Dunnican possessed a Ruger, Model P95 9mm handgun and marijuana that was intended for distribution on November 8, 2017. Dunnican is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to prior felony convictions for involuntary manslaughter and felonious assault, according to the indictment.

The case was investigated by the Ohio Adult Parole Authority, the East Cleveland Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney James P. Lewis is prosecuting the case.

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.