A Youngstown man has been indicted for using a firearm and drug house to distribute marijuana, crack cocaine and other drugs.

Rafael Samaniego, 26, was indicted on one count each of maintaining drug-involved premises, possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crime and being a felon in possession of firearm/ammunition.    

Samaniego distributed marijuana beginning in April of this year and was arrested in a drug raid at the home on West Marion Avenue in Youngstown where three young children were inside.

The house was used for distributing marijuana, crack cocaine and other drugs, according to the indictment.

Samaniego on April 11 possessed a Taurus .40-caliber pistol in relation to his drug trafficking.

He was also prohibited from having a firearm because of a prior federal conviction for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, according to the indictment.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. States Attorney David M. Toepfer following an investigation by the Youngstown Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

If convicted, Samaniego's sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, his role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations. 

In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.