Eight People Indicted in Federal Court for Firearms Crimes

Eight people were indicted in federal court for firearms violations, said David A. Sierleja, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, and Trevor Velinor, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division.

Indicted are: Carzell J. Gibbons, 27, of Cleveland; Andre L. Madison, Jr., 26, of Boardman; Quintin Carpenter, 33, of New Philadelphia; Jessica Carpenter, aka Jessica Dendak, 30, of Carrollton; Ronald A. Goodman, Jr., 26, of Cleveland; Jesse L. Melton, 27, of Cleveland; Jerry J. Monroe, 33, of Cleveland, and Ramone Drummond, 50, of Akron.

“We will continue to aggressively prosecute firearms crimes and people who illegally carry guns after being convicted of serious crimes,” Sierleja said.

“There is no place in our society for those who use firearms for violent, criminal purposes,” Velinor said. “ATF will continue to work with our law enforcement partners at all levels across the Columbus Field Division to bring those individuals to justice.”

Gibbons is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. On March 8, 2017, he possessed a Kimber, model Ultra Crimson Carry II, .45 caliber pistol, and ammunition, after having been convicted of aggravated robbery with a firearm specification, burglary, tampering with evidence and other crimes, in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, according to the indictment.

The Gibbons case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office and the Garfield Heights Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason M. Katz.

Madison is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. On March 28, 2017, Madison possessed a Smith & Wesson, model 28 Highway Patrolman, .357 caliber revolver, and ammunition, after having been convicted of burglary and aggravated assault in the Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, according to the indictment.

The Madison case was investigated by the ATF and the Youngstown Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer.

Quintin Carpenter is charged with being a felon in possession of firearms and Jessica Carpenter is charged with aiding and abetting a felon in possession of firearms.

From May 2013 through December 2016, Quintin Carpenter possessed a Ruger, model SR22, .22 pistol, a Henry Repeating Arms Co, .22 rifle, and a Remington, model 870, 12-gauge shotgun, after having been convicted of corrupting another with drugs in the Tuscarawas County Court of Common Pleas. Jessica Carpenter, aka Jessica Dendak, aided and abetted Quintin in obtaining the firearms, according to the indictment.

The Carpenter case was investigated by the ATF and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer.

Goodman is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. On April 23, 2017, Goodman possessed a Ruger, Model AR-556, 5.56mm X 45mm caliber rifle, and ammunition, after having been convicted of drug trafficking in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, according to the indictment.

The Goodman case was investigated by the ATF and Cleveland Division of Police. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot Morrison.

Melton is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. On April 1, 2017, Melton possessed a 9mm Makarov pistol, after having been previously convicted of attempted robbery and drug trafficking in Cuyahoga County, as well as possession with intent to distribute narcotics in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, according to the indictment.

The Melton case was investigated by the Euclid, Bratenahl and Cleveland police departments, as well as the ATF. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad J. Beeson.

Monroe is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. On March 22, 2017, Monroe possessed a 9mm Smith & Wesson pistol, Model Sigma, after having been previously convicted of attempted robbery and involuntary manslaughter in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, according to the indictment.

The Monroe case was investigated by the Cleveland Division of Police and the ATF. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad J. Beeson.

Drummond is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, as well as possession with intent to distribute Oxycodone. On Aug. 10, 2016, Drummond possessed a Lorcin L25 pistol and ammunition, after having previously been convicted in U.S. District Court of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. He also possessed Oxycodone with the intent to distribute the drug, according to the indictment.

The Drummond case was investigated by the U.S Postal Inspection Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret Sweeney.

The cases are unrelated.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.