Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Two Cleveland men were indicted on federal firearms charges, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja.

Kwoquan Scott, 28, had a Charter Arms AR-7 .22-caliber rifle on June 23, despite prior convictions for involuntary manslaughter, aggravated robbery, robbery with a firearms specification and multiple convictions for robbery between 2007 and 2014, according to the indictment.

Davonte Carter, 26, had a Smith & Wesson .40-caliber pistol and ammunition on June 28, despite prior convictions for robbery and having a weapon under disability, according to the indictment.

These cases are unrelated. They are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly L. Galvin following an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Cleveland Division of Police.

If convicted, the defendants’ sentences 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.

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