Grand Jury Indicts Cincinnati Man Who Allegedly Served as Straw Purchaser for at Least 21 Firearms
CINCINNATI – A grand jury has indicted a Cincinnati man with crimes related to illegal straw purchases of at least 21 firearms.
Timothy Moorman, Jr., 32, made his initial appearance in federal court in Cincinnati today. He is charged with one conspiracy count and 10 counts of making false statements on federal firearm forms.
According to the indictment, which was returned on March 12 and unsealed today, Moorman bought firearms at Cincinnati-area federal firearms licensees and then provided those firearms to co-conspirators the same day or within a few days. Those co-conspirators would then traffic the firearms outside of Ohio.
For example, it is alleged that at least nine firearms were recovered in connection with a crime in Canada less than two weeks after Moorman bought them. Two others were traced to crimes in Canada and Detroit within two months of purchase.
The charging document details that the firearms were purchased at Bass Pro Shops, Range USA – Cincy West, Range USA – Blue Ash, Target World and North College Hill Gun Store.
Moorman allegedly indicated on the required firearms forms that the firearms were for himself and no one else, despite actually acting as a straw purchaser.
Making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm is a federal crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The conspiracy charge carries a potential penalty of up to five years in prison.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), announced the charges. 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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