A Youngstown man has been charged in a seven-count indictment handed down by a federal grand jury in Cleveland Friday, Feb. 19.

According to the indictment from the Department of Justice for the Northern District of Ohio, 40-year old Raphael Ortiz has been charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, distribution of fentanyl, using and maintaining a drug premise, possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and as a felon in possession of firearms.

An affidavit in support of the criminal complaint states, on Jan. 6, law enforcement officers with the FBI, Mahoning Valley Violent Crimes Task Force and Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force executed a search warrant at the defendant's Youngstown-area residence.

According to the indictment, during the execution of the warrant, investigators discovered a semi-automatic pistol and approximately $26,000 in cash. Ortiz is prohibited from possessing firearms due to a 2008 conviction for drug trafficking and 2004 convictions for possession of heroin and assault on a peace officer.

Law enforcement officers executed a second and third search warrant at two additional residences known to be used for the distribution and storage of narcotics by the defendant on Jan. 6 as well. During the execution of these search warrants, the affidavit states that investigators discovered approximately 2.8 kilograms of fentanyl, a Sig Sauger semi-automatic pistol, Remington pump-action shotgun, Springfield Armory semi-automatic pistol, Smith & Wesson semiautomatic rifle, and a Springfield Armory semiautomatic rifle.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the FBI and Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Yasmine Makridis.