Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Six people were indicted on federal firearms charges.

Indicted are: Eric J. Allen, 31, of Akron; Lyjesta Jerry Agee, 31, of Cleveland; Howard T. Duncan, 26, of Cleveland; Dwaine Rucker, Jr., 25, Cleveland; Christopher Brenick, 23, of Valley View, and Eric Reynolds, 20, of Valley View.

All are charged with being felons in possession of firearms, except Brenick and Reynolds, who are charged with making false statements in the acquisition of a firearm.

Allen was found to have a Hi-Point 9mm rifle and 20 rounds of 9mm caliber ammunition on Aug. 6. Allen was previously convicted of sexual battery.  

Agee was found to have a Springfield .45-caliber pistol and ammunition on Oct. 26, despite previous convictions for drug trafficking.

Duncan was found to be in possession of a Springfield .45-caliber pistol and ammunition on Oct. 4 despite previous convictions for child endangering, drug trafficking and carrying a concealed weapons.

Rucker was found to be in possession of a Smith & Wesson 9 mm pistol and ammunition on Sept. 26 despite a previous conviction for abduction.

Brenick falsely stated on April 19 that he was the true purchaser of a Sig Sauer .45-caliber pistol from Stonewall Gun Shop in Brecksville, when Reynolds was the actual buyer of the firearm, according to the indictment.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after a 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.

The Allen case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Joyce following an investigation by the Ohio Adult Parole Authority and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The Agee case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Danielle Angeli following an investigation by the Cleveland Division of Police and ATF. The Duncan case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly L. Galvin following an investigation by the Cleveland Division of Police and ATF. The Rucker case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Deckert following an investigation by the Cleveland Division of Police and ATF. The Brenick and Reynolds case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S Attorney Brian Deckert following an investigation by the ATF. 

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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