PEORIA — A North Valley man, already facing federal heroin charges, was re-indicted with additional charges that upped his possible prison term.

Isaiah D. "Rico" Richardson, 28, was already facing a minimum of 10 years behind bars if he was convicted of heroin distribution, a charge he picked up last summer. A federal grand jury this week returned a superseding indictment that still alleges distribution heroin but now added the drug acryl fentanyl. Furthermore, the new charges allege a person died as a result of the drugs he supposedly dealt.

Now, he faces at least 20 years and possibly up to life behind bars.

Richardson is appear in U.S. District Court in Peoria next week on the new charges which also include distribution of heroin, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of heroin with intent to distribute. Those charges could add decades more to Richardson's prison term if he's convicted.

According to federal court records, Pekin police were investigation two overdoses, one on June 6, 2017 and another one, which proved fatal, on June 11, 2017. In both cases, it’s alleged the victims received their heroin from a man known as “Rico,” according to an affidavit filed in U.S. District Court. Both men had a phone number in their cell phone of Rico, whom police allege is Richardson.

The new charges allege that a day before the June 11, 2017, death, Richardson distributed a mixture of heroin and acryl fentanyl to a person known as D.W., who died the next day.

Following that, an informant allegedly made several purchases from Richardson in Peoria’s North Valley. Richardson was arrested a short time after that. In addition, the indictment alleges that Richardson possessed a Ruger .45 caliber handgun on June 29, when he was arrested.

Richardson and another were indicted in Peoria County Circuit Court on similar charges. Richardson's case is pending. Charges were dropped against the other man.

Andy Kravetz can be reached at 686-3283 or akravetz@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @andykravetz.