CINCINNATI — More than 20 people are facing federal gun-related charges as part of federal and regional law enforcement agencies' efforts to reduce a surge in violent crime seen throughout the year.
U.S. Attorney David DeVillers Monday announced a federal grand jury indicted 20 men and one woman, six of whom agents arrested late last week or over the weekend and 13 of whom were already in state custody. The new cases come roughly eight weeks after investigators announced an initial wave of cases against 16 additional defendants announced in late September.
One male defendant -- 42-year-old Orlando Crawford -- remained at large Monday afternoon, DeVillers indicated. DeVillers' office announced a $2,500 reward for information leading to Crawford's arrest.
20 more individuals charged federally as part of Cincinnati gun violence reduction initiative https://t.co/VpywRCvjTz pic.twitter.com/gTPH5p4VUV
— US Attorney S. Ohio (@SDOHnews) November 23, 2020
Monday's announcement came just one day after the city of Cincinnati recorded the latest in a long string of fatal shootings throughout 2020. The two rounds of federal indictments were part of a larger, ongoing effort "to identify repeat and dangerous offenders," DeVillers' office stated in a news release.
"Under federal law, it is illegal to possess a firearm if you fall into one of nine prohibited categories, including being a felon, convicted of a misdemeanor domestic violence offense or under a court-authorized restraining order," DeVillers said in the release. "It is our hope that concentrating on this sector of the criminal population will have an impact on reducing the unprecedented level of violence occurring in Cincinnati."
The charges announced Monday -- if followed by a conviction -- could result in up to 10 years in federal prison.
The people charged in this round of indictments were:
- Myrrick Barber, 23
- Darrel Berry, 20
- Recardo Brooks, 40
- Jarred Cotton, 32
- Orlando Crawford, 42
- Miles Ford, 35
- Donte Graves, 37
- Tarrell Gross, 41
- Lamont Holly, 26
- Deion Jennings, 26
- Kelsey Klopp, 24
- Brandon Mathews, 29
- Harold Moore, 27
- Tamon Sheldon, 30
- Donovan Shorter, 27
- Ryan Stoll, 23
- Charles Sullivan, 28
- Antonio Thomas, 32
- Airon Watson, 28
- Yancey White, 34
The U.S. Attorney's Office partnered with Cincinnati police, the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Nineteen of the defendants are charged with illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, while two are also facing drug-related charges in connection with possession of a firearm.
Agents asked anyone with information as to Crawford's whereabouts to call 1-888-ATF-TIPS.
