A grand jury indicted Sitka resident Lowell T. Ford on felony drug and weapons charges Friday. Ford, 33, was indicted on two counts of possessing a weapon, one count of possessing heroin with intent to sell, and one count of possessing methamphetamine.

The charges stem from an incident on June 25. According to court documents, Sitka police officer Walt Smith caught sight of Ford at 4am, outside the True Value hardware store on Halibut Point Road. Police said that Ford was carrying 18 small wax-paper packages of heroin, and two glass smoking pipes, one of which tested positive for meth. Assistant District Attorney Jean Seaton estimated the heroin packets would have a street value of about $100 apiece. Police said Ford was also carrying a handgun, an 8-inch knife, a set of lock-picking tools and a plastic face mask.

If convicted, the charges carry significant jail time and fines. The heroin charge alone carries a maximum penalty of 20 years and $250,000. Ford was arraigned today in Sitka Superior Court, and pleaded not guilty. He is next due in court on August 1.