Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Three people were indicted in federal court for firearms crimes.

Riccardo D. Harris, 35, of Canton, was charged being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Harris had a Smith & Wesson .40-caliber pistol and ammunition on Oct. 19, despite a previous conviction for aggravated robbery, according to the indictment.

Damien Loveless, 39, of Cleveland, was charged being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Loveless had a Romarm/Cugir 7.62 x 39 mm rifle and ammunition, on Nov. 2, despite previous convictions for aggravated arson, attempted aggravated robbery, drug trafficking, assault on a police officer, firearms convictions and other crimes, according to the indictment.

Karl Bates, 21, of Garfield Heights, was charged being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Bates possessed a loaded Colt .38-caliber revolver on Nov. 14, despite previous convictions for felonious assault, drug trafficking and drug possession, 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 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.

These cases were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Canton Police Department. They are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron P. Howell, Margaret Kane and Kathryn Andrachik.

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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