Wayne County man indicted on drug charges

A Wayne County man was indicted in federal court on charges involving methamphetamine, cocaine and crack cocaine.

Charles F. Sarno, 36, of West Salem, was indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine cocaine.

The indictment alleges that on or about March 28, 2017, Sarno knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute and distributed at least five grams of methamphetamine.

The indictment further alleges that on or about March 28, 2017, Sarno did knowingly and intentionally possess with intent to distribute and distributed a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine and did knowingly and intentionally possess with intent to distribute and to distribute a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of crack 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 records, 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.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Henry F. DeBaggis.

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.