CINCINNATI, OH – A sprawling conspiracy to funnel illegally purchased firearms onto the streets of Cincinnati has been cracked, with ten individuals now facing federal charges, Grimy Times has learned. Federal agents allege the group utilized stolen credit card information to acquire over 70 firearms, then masked the true buyers through a network of straw purchases at local Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs).
The scheme, uncovered by the ATF and detailed in two separate indictments unsealed last week, involved ordering firearms online from out-of-state dealers – including Guns.com – and shipping them to Cincinnati-area FFLs. Conspirators then allegedly picked up the weapons, falsely claiming on ATF Form 4473 that they were the actual purchasers and not acquiring the firearms for another person. Authorities report at least 38 of the 60 firearms shipped to the Southern District of Ohio were successfully obtained.
Leading the charge is Zephaniah Jones, 20, of Cincinnati, currently a fugitive. Law enforcement is actively seeking Jones, and anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is urged to contact the ATF at 513-684-3354. Also indicted are Nehemiah Jones, 23, of Atlanta, GA; Jerin Johnson, Sr., 35, of Cincinnati; Cedric Conyers, 34, of Cincinnati; Aneesah Williams, 27, of Cincinnati; and Mykia Melton, 25, of Cincinnati. They are all accused of conspiring to make false statements during firearm purchases.
But the alleged criminal activity doesn’t stop at illegal gun trafficking. Four of the defendants – Zephaniah Jones, Nehemiah Jones, Mykia Melton, and Jerin Johnson, Sr. – are also facing charges related to fraudulently obtaining over $120,000 in Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans during the COVID-19 pandemic. Zephaniah Jones alone allegedly secured more than $20,000 in fraudulent loans by falsely claiming ownership of a lawn care business that, according to the indictment, was not operational in February 2020 and falsely reported $99,000 in revenue.
U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker made it clear this isn’t just about guns or pandemic fraud. “These cases allege conspiracies that endangered our communities through straw firearms purchases, and several defendants are also alleged to have exploited pandemic relief,” Parker stated. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will not waver in our determination to prosecute those who illegally purchase firearms and those who defrauded relief programs meant to help struggling Americans during the pandemic. Straw purchasers are as much a part of the problem of violence we are seeing on our streets as those who pull the trigger.”
The 23-count indictment against Zephaniah Jones includes three counts of unauthorized use of an access device and three counts of aggravated identity theft related to the alleged use of stolen credit card numbers. The full list of charges against the defendants remains sealed with the court, but federal prosecutors are signaling they intend to pursue maximum penalties for each individual involved in this dangerous and multi-faceted criminal enterprise. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it develops.
Related Federal Cases
- Theryn Jones, Financial Misconduct, New York NY, 2023 · Ohio
- Kenneth Thom Admits $2M Investment Scam, Manhattan NY, 2023 · Ohio
- Christopher Ferguson, PPE Scam, New York NY, 2023 · Ohio
- James Pavlounis, Social Security Administration Fraud and Tax Evasi… · Ohio
- James Pavlounis, Social Security Administration Scam, New Rochelle … · Ohio
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Weapons|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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