Drug indictment includes 3 charges

WARREN — A Howland man accused of being one of the area’s major drug dealers was indicted on three charges that could put him in prison for up to 18 years.

Richard A. Minich, 27, of 4006 Fairlawn Heights Drive, was indicted on two charges of marijuana trafficking and one of marijuana possession.

The charges carry specifications that property confiscated during the investigation can be forfeited to authorities if it was used in the offense, or if it was acquired as a result of the offenses.

In some drug investigations in the past, proceeds from forfeited items have been divided among the Trumbull Ashtabula Group Task Force and the Trumbull County Prosecutor’s Office.

Among the items listed in the indictment are $300,000 seized from Minich’s home, $56,000 seized from a home at 153 Bonnie Brae in Warren, a 2002 Cadillac Escalade, a 2002 Chevrolet Trail Blazer, 16 $100 Kay Jewelry gift certificates, a television, two camcorders, a DVD player, PlayStation 3 game system with games, X-Box 360 game system with games, Wii game system with games, shotgun, motorcycle, computer, scanner, handguns and other items.

Minich is set for arraignment Tuesday in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court before Judge Andrew Logan. Minich has been placed on house arrest after posting 10 percent of a $250,000 cash bond.

For the complete story, see Saturday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.