Updated

A friend of Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev (joh-HAHR' tsahr-NEYE'-ehv) who authorities believe provided the handgun used to kill a Massachusetts Institute of Technology police officer during the manhunt is due in federal court on drug and gun charges.

Stephen Silva's bail hearing is Wednesday.

A July grand jury indictment says Silva received a 9mm handgun with the serial number removed in February 2013. It also alleges Silva conspired to distribute heroin this summer. It does not refer to the police officer's slaying or Tsarnaev.

Dzhokhar's brother, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, was killed in a shootout with police several days after the bombings, and threw the gun at them when it was empty.

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was found later hiding in a boat. He has pleaded not guilty in the bombings.