Youngstown man faces fed drug, firearms charges

Staff report

CLEVELAND

A Youngstown man has been charged in a five-count federal indictment with narcotics and firearms violations, said Carole S. Rendon, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

Phillip M. Lemon, II, 28, possessed with intent to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin in December 2015, she said. There are 28 grams in an ounce.

He also possessed with intent to distribute fentanyl and maintained premises on McHenry Street on Youngstown’s East Side for heroin distribution, the U.S. attorney’s news release said.

Lemon also possessed two .22-caliber revolvers and ammunition despite a previous conviction of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin. Under law, convicted felons are not allowed to have or own firearms.

He also had the firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, according to the indictment. The case was investigated by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Youngstown police and is being prosecuted by David M. Toepfer, a Youngstown-based assistant U.S. attorney.