Richfield man sentenced to two years in prison for illegally selling firearms

A Richfield Township man was sentenced to two years in prison for illegally dealing firearms after he sold approximately 300 firearms over a three-year period, said Acting U.S. Attorney Carole S. Rendon and ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge Brad Earman.

Timothy J. Cassinger, 49, was not a licensed firearms dealer but sold approximately 300 firearms for profit between June 2012 and October 2015. He was given a warning letter by ATF to cease and desist or get a license to sell firearms. In response to the letter, he continued to buy and sell firearms. Many of the weapons were purchased from federal firearms licensees and then resold by Cassinger at gun shows or online, according to court documents.

Eleven firearms originally purchased by Cassinger were intercepted by Spanish authorities in September 2014, on a ship destined for Beirut, Lebanon . Other firearms purchased by Cassinger were later recovered in Cleveland, Columbus, East Cleveland, New York City and other cities, according to court documents.

“The firearms sold by this defendant eventually made their way around the state, around the country and around the world,” Rendon said. “Those who engage in the business of selling firearms need to be licensed.”

“ATF’s core mission is reducing violent crime in our country,” said ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge Brad Earman.  “When individuals illegally sell firearms, they compromise the ability of law enforcement to trace firearms and solve crimes.” 

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly L. Galvin following an investigation by the ATF.