CINCINNATI, OH – Markeith Ford, 32, is headed to federal prison for over five years after a brazen attempt to outrun the law while clutching a loaded handgun. Ford was sentenced Wednesday to 66 months behind bars for illegally possessing a firearm, a charge stemming from a March 2022 incident that played out on Race Street.
The case unfolded when plainclothes officers with the Crime Gun Information Center (CGIC) spotted Ford skulking around the rear of a property. Dressed in a black outfit, camouflage mask, and latex gloves – a clear attempt at concealment – Ford immediately took off running when a patrol vehicle approached. In his flight, he tossed a firearm towards a nearby fire escape.
Officers quickly apprehended Ford, recovering the discarded weapon. The gun was found to be loaded with a staggering 15 rounds of ammunition. A search revealed Ford was also carrying a black magazine containing an additional 10 rounds in his front pants pocket. The fact that Ford was already a convicted felon made the possession of any firearm a federal offense.
Court documents reveal Ford pleaded guilty in June 2022 to the charge of illegally possessing a firearm after his prior felony conviction disqualified him from owning one. This wasn’t a simple oversight; Ford’s attempt to evade police and ditch the gun suggests a deliberate disregard for the law.
The sentencing was handed down by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Susan J. Dlott. Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, announced the sentence alongside Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF, and Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa A. Theetge. Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Springer prosecuted the case.
This case serves as a stark reminder that those with prior felony convictions who illegally possess firearms will face serious federal consequences. The ATF and Cincinnati Police Department continue to work together to stem the flow of illegal weapons and hold accountable those who endanger the community with their actions. The investigation was led by the Columbus Field Division.
Related Federal Cases
- Markeith Ford, Illicit Firearm Possession, Ohio 2022 · Illinois
- Jesse Carter, Ghost Gun Possession, Cincinnati OH, 2023 · Ohio
- Jonathan Johnson, Unlawful Machine Gun Possession, DC, 2023 · Ohio
- Daniel Hill Sentenced to 10 Years for Stolen Gun Possession, Baltim… · Illinois
- Russell Cary Owens, Illegal Firearm Possession, W.Va. 2023 · Ohio
Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
WeaponsWeaponsWeaponsWeapons