DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
Northern District of Ohio

For Immediate Release

Friday, October 12, 2018
Justin E. Herdman
, United States Attorney
Contact: Mike Tobin

Father and son from Mahoning County indicted after the son gave a gun to his father, who was previously convicted of rape, kidnapping, attempted murder and other crimes

A father and son from Mahoning County were indicted on firearms charges after the son allegedly gave a firearm to his father, who was previously convicted of rape, kidnapping, attempted murder and other crimes, U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said.
 
Rodney P. McMeans, 43, of Struthers, was indicted on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
 
Rodney P. McMeans, Jr., 24, of Youngstown, was indicted on one count of transfer of a firearm to a prohibited person.
 
“The older defendant has absolutely no business with a gun, given his history of violent crime, and his son knew that,” Herdman said. “We will continue to work to keep firearms out of people who have no regard for the law.”
 
McMeans on April 24 possessed a FN Herstal 5.7-caliber pistol and ammunition, despite previous convictions for rape, kidnapping, felonious assault, attempted aggravated murder and improperly discharging a firearm into a habitation, according to the indictment.
 
McMeans, Jr. transferred the FN Herstal 5.7-caliber pistol to his father sometime between January and April 24, knowing and having reasonable cause to know McMeans was a felon who was not allowed to possess a firearm, according to the indictment.
 
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 records, 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 and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
 
The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. States Attorney Peter E. Daly.
 
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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Columbus Field Division