Grand jury indicts 6 in straw purchasing conspiracy involving firearms bought online with stolen credit card information

Press Release

Law enforcement seeks information on whereabouts of 2 defendants

CINCINNATI - Six Cincinnati residents were indicted in connection with a conspiracy involving stolen credit card information used online to place orders for straw purchase firearms.

Those charged include:

Name	Age
Zachary Harris	24
Rickvuion Scott, also known as "Cubb"	25
Teague Jackson	22
Edward Washington	27
Montreal Williams*	37
Markendra Carter*	35

*Williams and Carter remain at large, and law enforcement authorities ask anyone with information related to their whereabouts to call 513-684-3354.

According to the indictment, Harris and Scott used stolen credit card information to buy firearms online. Their coconspirators then picked up the firearms in straw purchases, allegedly falsifying the federal firearms forms required for purchase.

Members of the conspiracy would allegedly place an online order with Range USA on Harrison Ave. in Cincinnati for multiple firearms, at times 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 10-count indictment alleges 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). 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.

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Updated May 23, 2024