Malcolm Roberson Convicted in Straw Gun Purchase

A Warrensville Heights man has been convicted of a cold-eyed straw purchase of a firearm, a move that slipped past a licensed dealer but not federal investigators. Malcolm Roberson, 26, was found guilty by a jury on charges tied to a covert transfer of a Jimenez Arms 9 mm pistol purchased Feb. 20 at Taylor Firearms LLC in Vermilion, Ohio.

The scheme unraveled quickly. Chimere Turner, 32, of Cleveland, walked into the store and fronted as the buyer, signing federal paperwork certifying she was the actual purchaser. But investigators say the truth was clear: Roberson handed over the cash and walked out with the gun. The transaction, while legal on paper, was a criminal fiction — and one the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) moved swiftly to dismantle.

Roberson didn’t just break the law buying the gun under another name — he compounded it by possessing it. A 2011 conviction for assault made him a prohibited person under federal law. Yet he took possession of the 9 mm pistol anyway, putting him squarely in the crosshairs of a second charge: felon in possession of a firearm. The jury convicted him on both counts after a trial that laid bare the mechanics of illegal gun trafficking.

Turner, who played a key role in the deception, has already cut a deal. She pleaded guilty to making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm, a charge that carries serious federal penalties. Her cooperation may have helped prosecutors build airtight evidence against Roberson, whose actions reflect a broader pattern of gun trafficking through straw buyers in Northeast Ohio.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benedict Gullo, who emphasized the danger posed when felons rearm through deception. “Straw purchases aren’t paperwork errors — they’re calculated efforts to arm criminals,” Gullo said. “This conviction ensures one more illegal gun is off the streets.”

An investigation by the ATF led to the charges. Roberson now faces years behind bars when sentenced, with federal sentencing guidelines likely to impose harsh punishment for both the fraud and illegal possession. The case underscores how even seemingly routine firearm sales can mask deeper criminal intent — and how federal law enforcement is cracking down on those who exploit the system.”