Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Five men from Northeast Ohio were indicted on federal firearms charges, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja and Trevor Velinor, ATF Special Agent in Charge for the Columbus Field Division.

Indicted in the unrelated cases are: Nicholas Martin, 37, of Cleveland; Terrence Trawick, 30, of Garfield Heights; Delvon Houser, 31, of Euclid; Vernell Jordan, 27, of Cleveland, and Marlon Clemons, 39, of Warrensville Heights.

“These are individuals with criminal records who have no business or right to carry firearms,” Sierleja said. “We will continue to work with federal agencies and local police to curb violence and prosecute gun offenses.”

“ATF is committed to combating gun violence in our communities,” Velinor said. “These indictments demonstrate our on-going commitment to work with our law enforcement partners to make our communities safer.”

Martin had a SCCY 9 mm pistol on March 2, despite prior felony convictions in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court for drug trafficking and improper discharge of a firearm into a habitation.

Trawick had a Taurus .380 caliber pistol with an obliterated serial number on Feb. 11, despite prior felony convictions in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court for drug trafficking and robbery and a federal conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Houser had a Taurus .38 caliber revolver on Jan. 19 despite prior felony convictions in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court for robbery and felonious assault.

Jordan had a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistol on March 1 despite a conviction in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court for attempted felonious assault with a firearms specification.

Clemons had a Taurus .45 caliber pistol and ammunition on Jan. 23, despite prior convictions in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court for improper discharge of a firearm, robbery and felonious assault.

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 record, 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.

These cases are being prosecuted following investigations by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshal Service, the Cleveland Division of Police and the Euclid Police Department.

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.

###