A Cleveland man has been indicted for a brazen two-day spree in which he illegally bought 24 firearms to arm convicted felons. Carlton H. Nunn, 36, is charged with making false and fictitious statements during the purchase of the weapons, a federal crime that carries serious prison time.
According to the indictment, Nunn bought the firearms from four different dealers on September 10 and 11, 2016, lying on federal forms each time by claiming he was the actual buyer. In reality, prosecutors say, he was acting as a middleman—funneling the weapons to individuals barred from owning guns due to felony convictions.
“This defendant illegally bought two dozen firearms to provide to people with felony convictions,” said Carole S. Rendon, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio. “These aren’t mistakes. These are calculated lies meant to arm violent criminals and bypass federal law.”
Trevor Velinor, ATF Special Agent in Charge for the Columbus Field Division, emphasized the agency’s push to dismantle supply chains feeding gun violence. “ATF is committed to combating gun violence in our communities, including the individuals who provide firearms to people who are prohibited from having them,” Velinor said. “We will continue to work to make our communities safer by investigating and bringing to prosecution the individuals who enable violent criminals.”
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Megan R. Miller. If convicted, Nunn’s sentence will be determined by the court after considering factors such as his prior criminal record, his role in the offense, and the nature of the violations. The statutory maximum penalty for the charge is severe, though actual sentencing will depend on federal guidelines.
An indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. Carlton H. Nunn is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Federal authorities stress that holding straw buyers accountable is key to disrupting illegal gun trafficking networks in cities like Cleveland.
RELATED: Fentanyl Killed Him: Lorain Dealer Indicted
RELATED: ‘Chubb’ Faces Life for Lethal Fentanyl Deal
Related Federal Cases
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
WeaponsWeaponsWeaponsWeapons