Toledo man faces heroin, fentanyl and firearms charges

An 11-count indictment was filed charging Vinson Shawn Belcher, 40, of Toledo, with distribution of heroin and fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute heroin and being a felon in possession of firearms, said Steven M. Dettelbach, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

The indictment details multiple sales of heroin and fentanly between February 2015 and January 2016. It also alleges Belcher had two firearms on January 19, 2016, despite previous felony convictions that forbid him from possessing firearms.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after reviewing 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.

The investigating agency in this case is the Federal Bureau of Investigation in conjunction with the Toledo Metro Drug Task Force, Toledo, Ohio.  The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Alissa M. Sterling and James L. Morford.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.