Zaveeyon Teasley, Akron Gun Heist, Ohio 2023

AKRON, OH – A brazen smash-and-grab at an Akron firearms dealer has landed a 20-year-old Cleveland man in federal court. Zaveeyon Teasley is facing a single count indictment stemming from the November 3rd, 2022 theft of 30 guns, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio.

Prosecutors allege Teasley drove a stolen vehicle directly through the storefront of the licensed firearms dealer. He and two unnamed co-conspirators then proceeded to loot the store, making off with three dozen firearms. The incident triggered a swift response from multiple law enforcement agencies, including the ATF, Bath Police, and Cleveland Police.

The investigation quickly honed in on Teasley and his alleged accomplices. On January 11th, 2023, federal agents executed a search warrant at Teasley’s Cleveland-area residence. While the specifics of the recovered evidence haven’t been publicly released, authorities claim they found items directly linking Teasley to the Akron gun theft.

Teasley was taken into custody following the search. An indictment, however, is not a conviction. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, led by Assistant United States Attorney Peter E. Daly, must prove Teasley’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. The defendant is entitled to a full defense, and the government bears the burden of proof.

If convicted, Teasley’s sentence will be determined by the court, taking into account his prior criminal record (if any), his role in the heist, and the specifics of the crime. The statutory maximum sentence is yet to be specified, but officials note that the final sentence will likely be less than the maximum allowed by law. The case highlights the ongoing struggle to stem the flow of illegal firearms and the rapid response of federal agencies to gun-related crimes.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) spearheaded the investigation, working alongside local police departments to build the case against Teasley. The Northern District of Ohio U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case, aiming to bring the defendant to justice for the theft of 30 firearms from the Akron store. Further details regarding the co-conspirators and the ultimate destination of the stolen weapons remain under investigation.

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