CINCINNATI – A grand jury has indicted six Cincinnati residents for their alleged roles in a straw purchasing conspiracy involving stolen credit card information and firearms bought online.
Zachary Harris, 24, Rickvuion Scott, 25, also known as “Cubb”, Teague Jackson, 22, Edward Washington, 27, Montreal Williams* and Markendra Carter* were named in the indictment, which alleges that Harris and Scott used stolen credit card information to buy firearms online. Their coconspirators allegedly picked up the firearms in straw purchases, falsifying the federal firearms forms required for purchase.
According to the indictment, members of the conspiracy would place online orders with Range USA on Harrison Ave. in Cincinnati for multiple firearms, using stolen credit card information without the victims’ authorization. Other members of the conspiracy would then pick up the firearms in the store, falsely claiming that they were the true buyers of the firearms and were not obtaining the firearms for anyone else.
The indictment alleges that the coconspirators succeeded in obtaining six pistols and one rifle via the illegal straw purchases. Harris, Scott, Jackson, and Washington appeared in federal court in Cincinnati this week, and the indictment was unsealed today.
Conspiring to make false statements during the purchase of a firearm is punishable by up to five years in prison. Making false statements during the purchase of a firearm and access device fraud are federal crimes punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two years in prison.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) announced the indictment. Assistant United States Attorney Julie D. Garcia is representing the United States in this case.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. Williams and Carter remain at large, and law enforcement authorities ask anyone with information related to their whereabouts to call 513-684-3354.
The investigation was conducted by the ATF, with assistance from the Cincinnati Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio.
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Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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