WINONA LAKE –  The United States Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana, Thomas L. Kirsch II, announced that Darin Devon Hurd, 25, of Winona Lake, was charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.     

According to documents in this case, Hurd’s girlfriend was found dead on Sept. 5, in a residence Winona Lake.  During a search of the residence, investigators found a loaded Llama 9 millimeter pistol, 21 unused syringes, a digital scale, narcotics packaging materials and approximately 8.9 grams of heroin.

Hurd admitted that he had used heroin with his girlfriend on the morning of Sept. 5. He further admitted that he regularly sold heroin in the Winona Lake area, turning a profit of approximately $400 for every seven grams of heroin sold. Hurd was previously convicted of Class D Felony Possession of a Schedule V Controlled Substance Without a Prescription in Allen County.

“My office is committed to reducing the availability of heroin on the streets of Northern Indiana,” U.S. Attorney Thomas Kirsch II said in a statement.  “We are focusing the resources of the federal government to investigate and prosecute people who deal in illegal narcotics.”

The United States Attorney’s Office emphasized that a complaint is merely an allegation and that all persons charged are presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty in court.

If convicted in court, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of the Winona Lake Police Department, Warsaw Police Department, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana State Police and Kosciusko County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly E. Donnelly.