Cleveland Woman Charged with making Straw Purchase of a Firearm

A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment charging Felicia D. Russell, 30, of Cleveland, with purchasing a firearm for a convicted felon, said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

The indictment alleges that Russell acted as a straw purchaser of a firearm from Atlantic Gun & Tackle in Bedford Heights, Ohio.  Russell accomplished her scheme by lying on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Form, stating that she was the actual buyer and recipient of the firearm.

Assistant United States Attorney Matthew J. Cronin is prosecuting the case following an investigation by ATF.

If convicted, the Court will determine the defendant’s sentence after a 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 violation.  In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum.  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.