PITTSBURGH—Gerard Porter has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh for heroin trafficking and firearms crimes, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The three-count indictment, returned on August 12, names Porter, 38, formerly of Shelton Avenue, in Pittsburgh as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, on Oct. 11, 2013, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Porter possessed heroin with intent to distribute it, he possessed a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and he possessed three firearms after having been convicted of nine felony crimes, including three drug trafficking crimes and two aggravated assaults, in eight separate prior cases.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of at least 15 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $2,500,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, the United States Marshals Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.