Youngstown man with prior convictions faces fentanyl, gun charges

CLEVELAND — A Youngstown man with prior convictions for drug trafficking, possession of heroin and assault on a peace officer was charged in a seven-count indictment handed down by a federal grand jury today.

Raphael Ortiz, 40, was 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 being a felon in possession of firearms.

According to the affidavit, law enforcement officers with the FBI, Mahoning Valley Violent Crimes Task Force and Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force executed a search warrant at Ortiz's Youngstown-area residence Jan. 6. During the execution of the warrant, investigators discovered a semi-automatic pistol and approximately $26,000 in cash, the affidavit states.

That same day, law enforcement executed a second and third search warrant at two additional residences known to be used for the distribution and storage of narcotics by Ortiz, according to the affidavit. During the execution of these search warrants, investigators discovered approximately 2.8 kilograms of fentanyl, a Sig Sauger semi-automatic pistol, a Remington pump-action shotgun, a Springfield Armory semi-automatic pistol, a Smith & Wesson semi-automatic rifle and a Springfield Armory semi-automatic rifle, the affidavit states.

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.

This story was originally published February 19, 2021 at 5:13 PM with the headline "Youngstown man with prior convictions faces fentanyl, gun charges."