Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Cincinnati Men Charged Federally for Illegal Possession of Firearms
CINCINNATI – A federal grand jury has charged Keno Phillips, 41, of Cincinnati, Ohio, with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense and Steve Ivery, 30, of Cincinnati, Ohio, with possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person, in indictments returned in Cincinnati.
Carter M. Stewart, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Interim Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot Isaac, and Donald J. Soranno, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Columbus Field Division, announced the indictments returned yesterday.
The indictment charging Phillips alleges that he possessed a mixture of cocaine and a semi-automatic handgun, along with ammunition, and that he used the loaded handgun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Phillips is a convicted felon, having been convicted in both state and federal courts.
The indictment charging Ivery alleges that he possessed a revolver and ammunition after being convicted of three violent felonies. Ivery is charged as being an Armed Career Criminal.
Phillips faces a mandatory sentence of 5 years and up to life for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, up to 10 years imprisonment for possession of a handgun and ammunition by a prohibited person. Ivery faces a mandatory sentence of 15 years and up to life for the offense he currently faces.
“These indictments illustrate the commitment of state and federal law enforcement working together to pursue federal charges against those who illegally wield weapons and perpetuate gun violence,” U.S. Attorney Stewart said.
U.S. Attorney Stewart commended the investigation of this case by the Cincinnati Police Department and ATF, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christy Muncy and Timothy Oakley who are prosecuting the cases.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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